A classic cricket rivalry was reignited under the lights at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara, where fans witnessed Sachin Tendulkar’s magnificent performance for India Masters. However, Shane Watson and Ben Dunk of Australia Masters showcased explosive batting, securing their team’s first victory in the International Masters League season. Tendulkar’s sensational 64 runs off 33 balls evoked memories of his legendary Desert Storm innings, setting a strong foundation for India Masters’ chase.
Tendulkar’s elegant cuts and powerful straight drives were on full display as he aggressively countered the Australian bowlers, reaching his half-century in just 27 balls. He reminded everyone why he is still revered as the heart of Indian cricket. Despite wickets falling at the other end, Tendulkar continued his fight single-handedly, hitting four sixes and seven fours, propelling India Masters to 100/3 in the mid-innings. The crowd was stunned when Xavier Doherty caught Tendulkar off Daniel Christian’s bowling. Following his dismissal, Yusuf Pathan contributed a quick 25 off 15 balls, reigniting hopes for India Masters, who were aiming for their fourth consecutive win and had already qualified for the knockouts.
However, the rising required run rate proved too challenging as India Masters ultimately fell short by 95 runs, suffering their first defeat in the tournament. For Australia Masters, Xavier Doherty was the standout bowler, taking 5 wickets for 25 runs and achieving the first five-wicket haul of the tournament.
Earlier in the match, Ben Dunk and Shane Watson turned back time with an extraordinary unbroken 236-run partnership for the second wicket, the highest in T20 cricket for this wicket, driving Australia Masters to a formidable total of 269/1. Watson, who was dropped early in his innings, capitalized on the error, scoring his second century of the tournament. Shortly after, Dunk also reached his century, further compounding India Masters’ difficulties.
The match was filled with excitement from the start, with Shaun Marsh hitting three consecutive boundaries off Vinay Kumar before Watson was dropped. The Australian pair exploited the field restrictions, rapidly scoring 28 runs in the first three overs before Rahul Sharma’s spin slowed down the scoring rate.
Rahul Sharma, fresh from a hat-trick in the previous game, tightened the контроль, and the pressure led to Pawan Negi taking the first wicket for India Masters, dismissing Shaun Marsh for 22 runs. This was the only moment of celebration for India Masters in what turned out to be a tough day.
Ben Dunk, coming in at No. 3, immediately made an impact with a six over midwicket and continued to dominate the Indian bowling alongside Watson. Dunk reached his half-century in just 23 balls, even outscoring Watson initially. Watson then accelerated, hitting consecutive sixes to reach his own half-century off 29 balls.
Reminiscent of their prime years, Watson and Dunk primarily scored in boundaries, forging a century partnership in just eight overs. Both players looked far from being past their prime. Watson completed his century in 47 balls, and Dunk soon followed, reaching his in 43 balls, the fastest century of the tournament. In the end, Watson remained unbeaten on 110 off 52 balls, including 12 fours and seven sixes, while Dunk scored a brutal 132 off 53 balls, with 12 fours and 10 sixes.
Adding to the narrative, this game occurred just a day after the current Indian team’s victory over Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy semifinal in Dubai—a remarkable coincidence that adds extra significance to this encounter, highlighting the enduring rivalry between these two cricketing nations across generations.
