The International Masters League, a franchise based T20 league that will have retired cricket legends in action and is being financially underwritten by German based international sports marketing agency SPORTFIVE, on Tuesday announced the captains of the six teams that will compete in IML’s inaugural edition.
The inaugural edition will feature 18 games, running from November 17th to December 8th, and bringing together legendary cricketers from six cricketing nations — India, Sri Lanka, Australia, England, South Africa, and West Indies.
The D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai will host the opening leg of four matches. The tournament will kick off with a fixture between India and Sri Lanka on November 17th. In the second match, Australia will take on South Africa, followed by another showdown featuring Sri Lanka versus England. West Indies will face Australia in the last game of the opening leg.
The action will then move to Lucknow (Ekana Cricket Stadium) on November 21st , where India will play South Africa. Lucknow will host six matches, after which the league will shift to Raipur, where India will lock horns with England on November 28th. Raipur will host eight games in all, including the semi-finals and then the final on December 8th, in which the first – ever champions of the IML will be crowned.
Iconic players, all of whom have had illustrious careers, will captain their respective teams, bringing their unmatched experience and competitive spirit to the T20 format. The IML promises to captivate audiences, blending nostalgia with high-energy cricket.
Captains in the IML:
1. India: Sachin Tendulkar
2. West Indies: Brian Lara
3. Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara
4. Australia: Shane Watson
5. England: Eoin Morgan
6. South Africa: Jacques Kallis
Tendulkar said, “As the ambassador and face of the IML, I am looking forward to leading and representing India Masters in the league. The action on the field will no doubt be competitive and exciting. All the players are enthused at the prospect of playing the IML at multiple venues. It’s an opportunity to inspire the next generation while celebrating the sport that we all love.”
League commissioner Sunil Gavaskar added, “Stalwarts from every country will be playing the International Masters League. For them, it is a wonderful opportunity to showcase their skills and show the world that they are still very good. These guys don’t know what it is to take it easy. It is
going to be an exciting league, with close contests. I am sure it will be a worth a treat for all those who come to the ground and watch on the television.”
