Watch: Sachin Tendulkar hits classic upper-cut in IML 2025 final

Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar turned back the clock with his iconic uppercut shot in the recent International Masters League (IML) 2025 final. Leading the India Masters against the West Indies Masters in Raipur, the legendary batter displayed his signature shots, bringing back memories of his famous uppercut six against Shoaib Akhtar in the 2003 World Cup.

The incident took place in the final over of the powerplay when Tendulkar faced Jerome Taylor. In the fourth delivery of the over, the Indian batter played an upper-cut-looking shot which sailed over the short third man and raced to the boundary.

However, in the very next delivery, the West Indian pacer bowled a short and wide delivery, and the veteran batter played an uppercut, which went over the third-man boundary for a six. The shot was almost identical to his iconic shot off Shoaib Akhtar at Centurion in the 2003 World Cup. Though he was eventually dismissed for 25 off 18 balls, his brief innings provided a good start for the chase.

The inaugural edition of the IML ended in an exciting final where India Masters comfortably defeated West Indies Masters by six wickets. After restricting the Caribbean side to 148/7, India chased down the target in 17.1 overs. Ambati Rayudu was the star performer with a match-winning 74 off 50 balls, receiving the Player of the Match award.

Rayudu smashed nine boundaries and three sixes, taking the game away from the West Indies. His dismissal in the 15th over gave the Caribbean team a bit of hope, but Stuart Binny’s unbeaten 16 off 9 balls sealed the deal.