IND-M vs ENG-M

That brings us to the end of our coverage from this IML encounter. Till the next time, this is myself (Arya Sekhar Chakraborty) signing off also on behalf of my fellow commentators Rajarshi Das and Sooryanarayan Sesha.

Sachin Tendulkar (India Masters captain): Winning is a good habit to develop. Still a long way to go in the tournament. It was a combined effort batting bowling and fielding everything was spot on. Sometimes the crowd is too loud so it's difficult to get the players watching me all the time. Everyone is out there to enjoy, have fun and give their best. The ground is fantastic, if the team performs well, captaincy invariably looks good. It feels nice, feels almost like an international match. Yesterday it was a fabulous game between Australia and West Indies. It will just keep improving. The sound of Gurkeerat’s bat was very sweet and as a non striker I was enjoying his batting.

Pawan Negi is the Player of the Match, here is what he had to say: It was all about giving my hundred percent as I was playing my first game. We all came out with a positive intent. We bowled really well, the fielding was superb as well which helped us win the game.

10:35 PM IST: India Masters won by 9 wickets (with 50 deliveries to spare)

Gurkeerat Singh Mann 63(35) | Dhawal Kulkarni 3/21(4)
Darren Maddy 24(24) | Chris Scholefield 1/33(2.4)

It turned out to be an utter domination from the India Masters as they defeated the England Masters by 9 wickets and with 50 deliveries to spare to clinch their second victory of the tournament. The run chase of 133 wasn't going to challenge the star-studded India Masters batting lineup. Gurkeerat Singh Mann was sent up the order and accompanied Sachin Tendulkar at the top of the order. 

In the first two overs, it was Gurkeerat who thrashed the England bowlers for 26 runs in the first two overs. Tendulkar didn't get enough strike but from the third over, he turned it on like a boss and turned the clock back with some vintage strokeplay. He was at his ominous best and smashed boundaries at will. Both the openers looked in imperious touch and shared a 75-run partnership in just seven overs. 

Chris Schofield eventually dismissed Tendulkar for 34 which included five fours and a six. Yuvraj Singh came to join Gurkeerat in the middle and didn't take any time to get going. Boundaries kept flowing from their blades. Gurkeerat went on to score 63 off 35 deliveries while Yuvraj finished it off with an unbeaten knock of 27 which included 4 fours and a six. India will be extremely happy with their performance going deep into the tournament.

Eoin Morgan, England Masters captain: We've been completely outplayed, to be honest. Congratulations to India, they seemed to have the tempo and intensity and really didn't make any mistakes. We couldn't counter their lines and lengths, they created pressure and opportunities. We couldn't shake them off. When you post a low total like that with dew coming in, it becomes very very difficult for the bowlers to come and defend that. Only our first game in the tournament, hopefully we'll get better as the tournament goes on. India probably the favourites in the tournament. Sachin specifically mentioned an opportunity for younger generation of players to be able to re-engage with the likes of Brian Lara and himself, who possibly would have missed a generation of the two greatest cricketers to have played the game. I certainly felt it here tonight, the crowd thoroughly enjoyed themselves tonight. Hopefully, this continues throughout the tournament. Approach wise, you have to be aggressive as possible. Our skill level wasn't up to scratch, the intensity can be better. The guys haven't played in a long time, some 3-4 years. Hopefully we can get better for the run and produce something better. 

India Masters finishes off the match in style. They wanted to finish the match early and they have done exactly that. More than eight overs to spare and one of the most comprehensive wins you will see in the T20 format. England Masters were never really in the game, the lack of practice was evident and it resulted in their shambolic showing. They should get better as the tournament progresses.

11.4 Chris Schofield to Gurkeerat Singh Mann, that'll be it! Tossed up well wide of off, Mann looked to finish the game off in style by trying to hoick this over cover. Ends up hoisting it high up towards backward point, the ball lands well away from the chasing fielder, and the batters collect the winning run. The India Masters trounce the England Masters at Navi Mumbai tonight!

11.3 Chris Schofield to Gurkeerat Singh Mann, OVER THE HOARDINGS! Half-volley, generously tossed up just outside off. Mann waits for it to arrive, lofts it right through the line, and the timing was perfect. The ball lands in front of the India Masters dugout towards long on

11.2 Chris Schofield to Gurkeerat Singh Mann, FOUR MORE! Length, wide of off. Mann moves across, slashes, and the ball goes through the fielder at cover

11.1 Chris Schofield to Gurkeerat Singh Mann, THUMPED DOWN THE GROUND! Gentle low full toss outside off. Mann moves towards it and thumps it down the ground. Gets to fifty as well

India Masters just 15 runs away from winning this match comprehensively. Yuvraj Singh showing his vintage self with a flurry of boundaries. Runs are coming thick and fast. 

10.6 Ryan Sidebottom to Yuvraj Singh, on a good length, just outside the line of off. Yuvraj looked to make room and dab this towards point, gets beaten

10.5 Ryan Sidebottom to Yuvraj Singh, FOUR MORE! Full, strayed down leg. Yuvraj moves towards this one and clips this off his pads. The ball flies over the long leg region

10.4 Ryan Sidebottom to Yuvraj Singh, AS ELEGANT AS EVER! Short and wide of off again, Yuvraj stands tall and gives it a slash. The ball flies over cover, and lands just inside the ropes at deep extra

10.2 Ryan Sidebottom to Yuvraj Singh, THUMPED OVER COVER! Slow and short outside off. Yuvraj makes room, frees his arms and clubs this over the cover region

10.1 Ryan Sidebottom to Gurkeerat Singh Mann, on a good length, angled in towards off stump from round the wicket. Worked towards the mid wicket region for a single