India Masters reigned supreme on Sunday, defeating West Indies in their IML T20 Final, in Raipur. Led by
Sachin Tendulkar, the hosts made it an easy job, and chased down a target of 149 runs in 17.1 overs, winning by six wickets.
Sachin failed to get a big knock, but contributed with some stylish boundaries as he displayed upper-cuts in its true vintage manner.
Batting against Jerome Taylor in the final over of the powerplay, Sachin smacked the pacer for a four and a six in back-to-back deliveries. The maximum reminded fans of his stunning shot against Pakistan legend
Shoiab Akhtar at the 2003 World Cup. His upper-cut six against Akhtar is considered to be one of the best shots in his career.
India were chasing 274 runs, and Sachin was removed by Akhtar for 98. But it wasn’t enough as India won the match. Sachin’s shot selection toyed with the Pakistan pacer’s tactics, and destroyed his confidence. In the second over of the run-chase, he launched a short and wide delivery by Akhtar over the third-man region for a smashing six. Then he also hit the next two deliveries for boundaries.