Sachin Tendulkar is back. The Master Blaster is set to make his comeback to cricket with the launch of the International Masters League, whose first season to be held this year. The tournament features six teams –India, England, Australia, Sri Lanka, South Africa in West Indies – and will set the stage for some old rivalries to rekindle as the stars of yesteryears promise come together under a competitive environment. Although the dates haven’t been locked yet, the tournament will be played in November across Mumbai, Lucknow and Raipur.
The IML has come together as a result of a collaboration between Tendulkar and his idol, the one and only Sunil Gavaskar, who has been appointed as the commissioner of the league. Tendulkar and Gavaskar will be working closely with PMG Sports and Sportfive, two of India’s most renowned sports management companies. Amid the growing popularity of tournaments featuring retired international cricketers such as the Legends League Cricket, World Championship of Legends and the Road Safety World Series, the IML comes as a breath of fresh air as it promises a more competitive and serious series of matches.
Leading a star-studded list of cricketers is the great Tendulkar himself, who continues to be adored, admired and idolised by millions of fans in India. By the time the tournament starts, Tendulkar would have been retired from all forms of competitive cricket for 11 years, but the will to turn up once more and hopefully create magic on the 22 yards despite being 51 year old is what drives Sachin’s competitive spirit.
