Sachin Tendulkar to lead as International Masters League announces captains and fixtures

Mumbai: The highly anticipated International Masters League (IML) is all set to take the world by storm, bringing together legendary cricketers from six cricketing powerhouses—India, Sri Lanka, Australia, England, South Africa, and West Indies—in a thrilling T20 franchise tournament. The inaugural edition will run from November 17th, 2024, to December 8th, 2024.

The D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai will host the opening leg of four matches. The tournament will kick off with a high-octane fixture between India and Sri Lanka on November 17th, pitting Sachin Tendulkar against Kumar Sangakkara, a throwback to their legendary encounters of the past. In the second match, Shane Watson’s Australia will take on Jacques Kallis’ South Africa, followed by another showdown featuring Sri Lanka versus Eoin Morgan’s England. Brian Lara and his West Indies team will return to the field to face Australia in what promises to be a thrilling contest.

The action will then move to Lucknow (Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee (BRSABV) 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 (Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, 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 International Masters League 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. With 18 action-packed matches, the IML promises to captivate audiences, blending nostalgia with high-energy cricket.

The captains in the International Masters League are as follows:

India: Sachin Tendulkar

West Indies: Brian Lara

Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara

Australia: Shane Watson

England: Eoin Morgan

South Africa: Jacques Kallis

Cricket icon and League Ambassador Sachin 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.”

Brian Lara, captain of the West Indies team, added, “It’s going to be amazing to step back onto the field with such a talented group of players. The format is fast, exciting, and competitive—just what the fans want.”

England captain Eoin Morgan said, “The IML brings the best of both worlds—cricketing legends and franchise competition. It’s going to be a phenomenal experience for both players and fans.”

Jacques Kallis, South Africa’s captain, said, “The chance to play in such a competitive environment again is thrilling. The IML will showcase not only our talent but also our passion for the game.”

Australia captain Shane Watson said, “It’s incredible to see so many legends of the game coming together in one league. I’m excited to lead Australia and will hopefully deliver some top-notch cricket for the fans.”

Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara added, “Playing against the best once again in this format is special. Fans will get to see competitive cricket and relive some unforgettable moments.”

League Commissioner Sunil Gavaskar said, “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.”

Full fixture list for the International Masters League as below:

About PMG Sports:

PMG Sports is India’s leading sports marketing company. It was founded in 1985 under the leadership of legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar. PMG’s expertise in sports marketing and strategic approach has helped them create numerous long-lasting partnerships delivering value for brands and sports properties alike. PMG pioneered sports content creation and media syndication in India and now operates under multiple verticals including consulting, sponsorship, brand endorsements, content creation, and conceptualizing and executing IPs.

About SPORTFIVE:

SPORTFIVE is a global sports marketing agency that delivers customer-centric solutions based on trust and transparency, deep industry experience and global relationships, digital intelligence and innovation. SPORTFIVE strategically and creatively connects brands, rightsholders, media platforms and fans to create and enable contemporary partnerships in sports. While creating and growing long-term value for all, SPORTFIVE often leads the sports business into the future through innovative digital solutions and strives to be the most progressive and respected partner in sports. Being at the centre of professional sport SPORTFIVE will use its unique position in order to make a positive contribution to sustainability and to live up to the social and economic duty and responsibility which sport and consequently all parties involved also have. SPORTFIVE operates with a global mindset and network of over 1,200 local experts based in 15 countries around the world, active in football, golf, esports, motorsport, handball, tennis, American football, basketball, ice hockey, rugby, the Olympics, and multi-sport events, among others.

SPORTFIVE’s participation in the league will be undertaken through its UAE-based entity, SPORTFIVE Sports Management LLC, which will be a shareholder in the Indian company set up to operate the league.

About SRT Sports Management Private Ltd (SRTSM):

SRTSM was established by the Tendulkar family to serve as the exclusive representative of Sachin Tendulkar across social and commercial partnerships. The organization fosters impactful relationships between Sachin Tendulkar and like-minded partners, working closely with them to unlock value through shared objectives.

 Sachin Tendulkar (India), Brian Lara (West Indies), Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka), Shane Watson (Australia), Eoin Morgan (England) & Jacques Kallis (South Africa) to feature as Captains of the six teams.  Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today