Yuvraj Singh, Tino Best clash; Brian Lara gets involved: Things heat up in IML 2025 final - Watch

Yuvraj Singh, Tino Best clash; Brian Lara gets involved: Things heat up in IML 2025 final

The International Masters League (IML) 2025 final between India Masters and West Indies Masters at the SVNS International Stadium in Raipur on Sunday, which the hosts won by six wickets, saw things heat up on the field. The incident took place during India's 149-chase, which involved Yuvraj Singh and Tino Best. The two went at each other, forcing umpire Billy Bowden and West Indies captain Brian Lara to intervene and end the clash.

The moment took place right after the 13th over as things between Yuvraj and Tino got pretty intense and both were seen exchanging words. The heated exchange triggered after Tino completed his over and expressed his desire to leave the field due to a possible injury concern. However, Yuvraj didn't waste any time to flag the issue with the umpire, leading to an argument between the two.

Such were the scenes that even Ambati Rayudu was seen urging Tino to calm down before he was moved away from the commotion by his skipper Lara. Former England pacer Darren Gough, who was on commentary, said: "He (Tino Best) is someone who doesn't back down. He is someone who likes to have a chat. Two players who don't back down. That's when you get an issue."

Lafda with Yuvraj vs Tino best #IMLT20Final #YuvrajSingh #IMLT20pic.twitter.com/FfPJTvOBVt
CricFreak69 (@Twi_Swastideep) March 16, 2025

Soon after the exchange the Indian hit a massive six and subsequently pointed his bat towards Tino, giving fans an experience of the vintage Yuvraj.

The tension between the two, however, fizzled out soon as Yuvraj was seen patting Tino during the second strategic time-out.

Tendulkar-led India Masters crowned IML 2025 champions

Sachin Tendulkar-led India Masters etched their name in history by clinching the inaugural International Masters League (IML) 2025 title. India Masters produced a clinical all-round performance to outclass Lara’s West Indies Masters in the presence of close to 50,000 fans.

The contest had all the makings of a classic — a packed stadium, cricketing greats rolling back the years as fans braced themselves for an epic battle after the India Masters contained the opposition for a sub-par 148/7, and then rode a fluent 67-run opening stand from Master Blaster Tendulkar (25) in the company of Ambati Rayudu (74), setting the tone for the chase.

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The 51-year-old star entertained the crowd with a couple of boundaries and a six during his fluent 18-ball knock, before a sharp delivery from Tino Best ended his stay, briefly quieting the roaring stands. Rayudu, however, ensured that the fireworks continued as India Masters cruised along towards the target.

In the process, the right-handed opener got to a 34-ball fifty with a boundary off Tino, even as his second-wicket stand with Gurkeerat Singh Mann (14) added another 28 runs to the Indian total. Mann perished while attempting for a glory shot to off-spinner Ashley Nurse, paving the way for Yuvraj Singh's (13 not out) arrival into the middle amid loud cheers.

Just when the India Masters were romping home towards victory, the West Indies Masters spinners delayed the inevitable with the wickets of Rayudu, who fell to left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn after belting nine fours and three mammoth sixes in his 50-ball knock, and new man Yusuf Pathan after being trapped in front by Nurse. However, with the equation down to 17 off the final 28 deliveries, Stuart Binny (16 not out) applied the finishing touches in style by smoking two gigantic sixes.

Earlier, India Masters bowlers’ dictated terms after the Caribbean side opted to bat, restricting them to a modest 148/7, built mainly around Lendl Simmons’ half century. For the home side, Vinay Kumar emerged the pick of the bowlers, returning 3/26, while Shahbaz Nadeem came up with two wickets. Pawan Negi and Stuart Binny also chipped in with a wicket apiece.