International masters league 2024 : The much-awaited International Masters League (IML) is all set to take the world by storm, bringing together the legendary cricketers from six cricket powerhouses-India, Sri Lanka, Australia, England, South Africa and West Indies in a thrilling T20 franchise tournament. The inaugural edition will run from November 17, 2024, to December 8, 2024.

The D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai will host the first leg of the four-match series. The tournament will kick off on November 17 with a thrilling encounter between India and Sri Lanka, with Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara facing off in a reminiscence of their greatest encounters.

Shane Watson's Australia will take on Jacques Kallis' South Africa in the second match, followed by another encounter between Sri Lanka and Eoin Morgan's England. Brian Lara and his West Indies team will return to the field to face Australia in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.

This will be followed by a clash in Lucknow (Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee (BRSABV) Ekana Cricket Stadium) on November 21, where India will play South Africa. Lucknow will host six matches, after which the league will shift to Raipur (Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, Raipur), where India will take on England on November 28. A total of eight matches will be held in Raipur, including the semi-finals and then the final on December 8, in which the first champions of the International Masters League will be crowned.

Iconic players, who have had illustrious careers, will captain their respective teams, bringing their unmatched experience and competitive spirit to the T20 format. With 18 action-packed matches, IML promises to enthrall viewers, combining high-energy cricket with nostalgia.

The captains in the International Masters League are as follows:

1. India: Sachin Tendulkar

2. West Indies: Brian Lara

3. Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara

4. Australia: Shane Watson

5. England: Eoin Morgan

6. South Africa: Jacques Kallis

Cricket icon and league ambassador Sachin Tendulkar said, “As the ambassador and face of IML, I am looking forward to leading and representing India Masters in the league. The action on the field will undoubtedly be competitive and exciting. All the players are excited at the prospect of playing IML across multiple venues. This is an opportunity to inspire the next generation, while also celebrating the game we all love.”

West Indies captain Brian Lara said, "It will be wonderful to be back on the field with such a talented group of players. This format is fast, exciting, and competitive – exactly what the fans want."

England captain Eoin Morgan said, "The IML features the best players in the world - cricket legends and a franchise competition. It's going to be an unprecedented experience for both players and fans."

South Africa captain Jacques Kallis said, "It's thrilling to have the opportunity to play in such a competitive environment again. The IML will showcase not only our talent but also our passion for the game."

Australia captain Shane Watson said, "It's incredible to see so many legends of the game together in one league. I'm excited to lead Australia and hopefully deliver some great cricket to the fans."

Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara said, "It is special to play against the best in this format once again. Fans will get a chance to witness competitive cricket and relive some unforgettable moments."

League commissioner Sunil Gavaskar said, "The legends from every country will be playing in the International Masters League. For them, this is a great opportunity to showcase their skills and show the world that they are still the very best. These guys don't know how to make it look easy. This is going to be an exciting league, with close matches. I am sure it will be a treat for everyone who will come to the ground and watch on television."