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Sri Lanka Masters Stay in Contention as India Masters Dominate IML T20 2025

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The International Masters League (IML) T20 2025 continues to thrill cricket fans, with India Masters securing their third consecutive victory by defeating South Africa Masters by eight wickets. The match, played at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on March 1, saw a dominant display by the Sachin Tendulkar-led side. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Masters remain in strong contention, sitting at second place in the standings.

India Masters Extend Winning Streak; Sri Lanka Masters in Pursuit

India Masters won the toss and opted to bowl first, making full use of the spin-friendly conditions. South Africa Masters started well with a 35-run opening partnership between Hashim Amla and Henry Davids, but Rahul Sharma’s sensational hat-trick—dismissing Amla, Jacques Kallis, and Jacques Rudolph—turned the game on its head. Pawan Negi and Yuvraj Singh continued the onslaught, while Stuart Binny wrapped up the innings, restricting South Africa Masters to just 85 runs in under 14 overs.

India Masters chased the modest target with ease, thanks to a steady innings by Ambati Rayudu (41*), sealing the win with nine overs to spare. This victory solidifies their place at the top of the table. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Masters, led by a strong squad, remain in contention with two wins in three matches and will be looking to close the gap.

IML T20 2025 Updated Standings

TeamMatchesWonLostTiedNRPointsNRR
India Masters3300063.156
Sri Lanka Masters3210040.677
West Indies Masters2200040.469
Australia Masters202000-0.606
England Masters202000-2.278
South Africa Masters202000-2.975

Sri Lankan Stars Shining in IML T20 2025

  1. Upul Tharanga (Sri Lanka Masters) – 141 runs in 3 innings, Avg 47.00, SR 162.07, 15 fours, 6 sixes.
  2. Asela Gunaratne (Sri Lanka Masters) – 100 runs in 3 innings, Avg 50.00, SR 158.73, 12 fours, 2 sixes.
  3. Lahiru Thirimanne (Sri Lanka Masters) – 90 runs in 3 innings, Avg 30.00, SR 147.54, 11 fours, 2 sixes.

Sri Lankan Bowlers Making an Impact

  1. Chaturanga de Silva (Sri Lanka Masters) – 4 wickets in 10 overs, Avg 24.50, Econ 9.80.
  2. Isuru Udana (Sri Lanka Masters) – 4 wickets in 12 overs, Avg 37.00, Econ 12.33.

With Sri Lanka Masters in second place, the upcoming matches will be crucial in their chase for the title. The team has shown resilience, with Upul Tharanga leading the batting charts and bowlers like Chaturanga de Silva playing a key role. Fans can expect an exciting battle as the tournament progresses, with Sri Lanka Masters aiming to close in on the top spot. Stay tuned for more updates on IML T20 2025, as our Sri Lankan stars look to bring glory to their team!

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Cricket

Kusal Mendis Falls Short in High-Stakes IPL Eliminator Clash

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Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis failed to rise to the occasion during a crucial IPL 2025 Eliminator as Gujarat Titans fell short in their chase against Mumbai Indians at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium in New Chandigarh.

Chasing a steep target of 229, Gujarat Titans needed early momentum. While opener Sai Sudharsan led the charge with a composed 80 off 49 deliveries, Kusal Mendis—expected to play a key supporting role—could not live up to expectations on this competitive stage.

Mendis, who had the platform to make an impact, started aggressively with two sixes in his 10-ball 20 but threw away his wicket in an uncharacteristic manner—getting out hit wicket to Mitchell Santner. In a high-pressure match where composure was vital, Mendis’s dismissal was a major setback for GT, stalling their momentum during a promising phase of the innings.

This was an opportunity for Mendis to demonstrate consistency and reliability at the highest level of franchise cricket, especially with the eyes of selectors and fans fixed on performances under pressure. However, the lack of game awareness and a reckless approach led to a soft exit at a crucial moment.

GT eventually managed 208/6, falling short by 20 runs. With Mendis’s early exit, the middle order was left exposed to the mounting run rate, and despite brief resistance from Washington Sundar and Rahul Tewatia, the chase fizzled out.

While Mendis has shown flashes of brilliance in previous matches, this performance serves as a reminder of the demands of knockout-stage cricket. With playoffs being the toughest test of mental and technical strength, Sri Lanka’s white-ball star must tighten his game to deliver when it matters most.

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Nuwan Thushara Shines as RCB Storms into IPL 2025 Final

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Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) booked their place in the grand finale of IPL 2025 with an emphatic 8-wicket victory over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 2, chasing down 102 runs in just 10 overs. The match, held in Ahmedabad, saw RCB continue their dominant form in the playoffs, with Sri Lanka’s very own Nuwan Thushara making his presence felt on the biggest T20 franchise stage.

Thushara, who has been a consistent figure in RCB’s bowling attack, picked up a crucial wicket in the Qualifier 1 against Lucknow Super Giants and has steadily built a reputation as a reliable powerplay bowler. His unique slingy action and accuracy have made him a fan favourite in Bengaluru and among Sri Lankan cricket fans. Although he took just 1 wicket in the latest game, his economical spells have contributed significantly to RCB’s campaign.

RCB’s victory against PBKS came on the back of a brilliant bowling effort, bundling Punjab out for a mere 101. RCB’s top order made light work of the target, finishing the chase with 60 balls to spare – the most dominant playoff win in IPL history in terms of balls remaining.

Sri Lanka’s IPL participation this year has been headlined by Nuwan Thushara, whose breakthrough season is setting the tone for more Lankan stars to shine in the league. His performance is also a testament to the growing impact of Sri Lankan pace bowlers in franchise cricket worldwide.

RCB will now face either Gujarat Titans or Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2025 Final on June 3rd at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Thushara is expected to play a key role as RCB aims to secure their maiden IPL title.

As the cricketing world gears up for a blockbuster final, Sri Lankan fans will be cheering on Thushara, hoping he brings IPL glory back to Bengaluru – and pride to Sri Lanka.

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Galle Marvels Owner Sentenced in Match-Fixing Case Under Sri Lanka’s Sports Offences Law

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In a landmark ruling under Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Offences Related to Sports Act, Indian businessman Prem Thakkar, the franchise owner of Lanka T10 League side Galle Marvels, has been handed a suspended prison sentence for attempting to fix a match during the 2024 tournament.

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Thakkar pleaded guilty to a match-fixing charge and was sentenced by the Kandy High Court to two years of rigorous imprisonment, suspended for 10 years. He was also ordered to pay a Rs. 6 million fine and Rs. 1 million in compensation.

The charges stem from an incident in December 2024, when Thakkar allegedly approached West Indies cricketer Andre Fletcher with an offer to influence the outcome of a Lanka T10 League match involving the Galle Marvels. The case was investigated by the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit in collaboration with Sri Lanka’s Special Investigation Unit for Sports-Related Offences.

The court further permitted the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit to access and analyze data from Thakkar’s mobile device to support ongoing investigations into wider corruption networks.

This conviction marks one of the first high-profile applications of Sri Lanka’s sports-related anti-corruption laws and sends a strong signal about the country’s commitment to upholding integrity in sports. The Prevention of Offences Related to Sports Act, enacted in 2019, criminalizes corruption in sport and provides legal mechanisms to penalize offenders—including jail time and financial penalties.

From a sports governance standpoint, this case underscores the growing necessity for franchise owners and stakeholders to be held accountable under national laws, especially as the popularity of short-format leagues like the Lanka T10 continues to rise.

Thakkar, who has now been granted permission to leave Sri Lanka after settling the financial penalties, becomes the first franchise owner in Lanka T10 history to be convicted under the country’s sports integrity laws.

As Sri Lanka continues to grow as a regional hub for franchise-based cricket, this incident also raises pressing questions for tournament organizers, including Sri Lanka Cricket, on the due diligence applied when awarding team ownerships and the oversight mechanisms in places.

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