Cricketing nostalgia was rekindled at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on Wednesday as a scintillating knock by Sachin Tendulkar went in vain, with Australia Masters securing a comprehensive 95-run victory over India Masters in the International Masters League (IML).
Ben Dunk and Shane Watson were the architects of the triumph, stitching together a record-breaking second-wicket stand that propelled their side to an imposing total.
Batting first, Australia Masters amassed a colossal 269/1, with Dunk and Watson rolling back the years to conjure an unbeaten 236-run partnership, the highest in T20 cricket for the second wicket.
Watson, having survived an early reprieve when Naman Ojha dropped him on one, made India Masters pay dearly, reaching his second century of the tournament.
Moments later, Dunk followed suit, completing a blistering century of his own.
The duo took full advantage of the powerplay, racing to 28 inside the first three overs, before Rahul Sharma’s introduction momentarily slowed proceedings.
Sharma, who had claimed a hat-trick in the previous encounter, tied down the Australians with his guile, leading to Pawan Negi’s breakthrough dismissal of Shaun Marsh (22). However, that proved to be the solitary bright spot for India Masters on an otherwise forgettable outing.
Dunk, arriving at No.3, signalled his intent with an emphatic six over midwicket, launching an onslaught that saw him outpace his captain to a half-century off just 23 balls.
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Watson, who had played the supporting role early on, switched gears with consecutive sixes off Sharma, reaching his fifty in 29 deliveries.
From then on, there was no stopping the Australian juggernaut.
With the India Masters bowlers struggling to contain the carnage, the second-wicket partnership surged past the hundred-run mark within eight overs.
Neither Dunk nor Watson showed signs of rust, dispatching the ball to all corners of the ground. Watson registered a commanding 100 off 47 balls, while
Dunk eclipsed him, registering the fastest century of the tournament in just 43 deliveries.
Watson eventually remained unbeaten on 110 off 52 balls, while Dunk finished with a breathtaking 132* off 53 deliveries, studded with 12 fours and 10 sixes.
In response, India Masters were dealt an early setback, but Tendulkar stood firm, treating fans to a vintage exhibition of stroke play. Rolling back the years, he raced to 64 off 33 deliveries, unfurling an array of exquisite late cuts and booming straight drives.
The maestro reached his half-century in just 27 balls, rekindling memories of his famous Desert Storm innings in Sharjah.
However, wickets at the other end derailed the chase, and despite Yusuf Pathan’s quickfire 25, the required run rate proved insurmountable. India Masters ultimately folded for 174, succumbing to their first defeat of the tournament.
Xavier Doherty was the pick of the Australian bowlers, returning figures of 5/25 – the first five-wicket haul of the season.
The thrilling contest unfolded a day after India’s contemporary side clinched a triumph over Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final in Dubai, reinforcing the enduring intensity of this cricketing rivalry.
Brief Scores: Australia Masters 269/1 (Ben Dunk 132*, Shane Watson 110, Pawan Negi 1/34) beat India Masters 174 (Sachin Tendulkar 64, Yusuf Pathan 25; Xavier Doherty 5/25) by 95 runs.
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