BRIAN Lara, widely regarded as one of the greatest batters in Test cricket history, is set to captain the West Indies Masters in the International Masters League (IML), which begins on February 22 in India. The tournament, featuring six teams composed of retired cricketing legends, will be played across three cities—Navi Mumbai, Rajkot, and Raipur—with the final scheduled for March 16.

Lara will be joined by some of the most iconic names in West Indies cricket, including Chris Gayle, Dwayne Smith, Fidel Edwards, and Denesh Ramdin, as they look to bring Caribbean flair to the competition.
West Indies Masters Squad

The West Indies Masters team is stacked with explosive batters, skilled all-rounders, and experienced bowlers:
Brian Lara (Captain) – Batsman
Chris Gayle – All-rounder
Kirk Edwards – Batsman
Denesh Ramdin – Wicketkeeper
William Perkins – Batsman
Fidel Edwards – Bowler
Lendl Simmons – Batsman
Narsingh Deonarine – All-rounder
Ashley Nurse – All-rounder
Dwayne Smith – All-rounder
Jerome Taylor – Bowler
Ravi Rampaul – Bowler
Sulieman Benn – Bowler
Tino Best – Bowler
Chadwick Walton – Wicketkeeper
Lara’s men will open their campaign on February 24 against Australia Masters before facing England (Feb 27), India (March 8), and South Africa (March 11) in the group stage.

The IML 2025 will see some of the biggest names in cricket history coming together to compete. India Masters, led by the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, boasts stars like Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, and Irfan Pathan, while Jacques Kallis captains South Africa Masters, which features Hashim Amla, Jonty Rhodes, and JP Duminy.
Over in England Masters, Eoin Morgan leads a powerful squad, including Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, and Monty Panesar. Kumar Sangakkara takes charge of Sri Lanka Masters, while Australia Masters, captained by Shane Watson, includes notable names such as Shaun Marsh, Dan Christian, and Ben Cutting.

West Indies cricket has long been known for its powerful stroke play and aggressive style, and Lara’s men will look to reignite that reputation in the IML. With Gayle, Smith, and Simmons providing explosive firepower, and Fidel Edwards, Jerome Taylor, and Rampaul leading the pace attack, the team is well-balanced to take on the world’s best.

The IML format will see teams compete in the league stage before advancing to the semi-finals in Raipur on March 13 and 14, leading up to the grand final on March 16.
With Lara at the helm, the West Indies Masters are expected to bring their trademark flair and passion, making them one of the teams to watch in what promises to be an electrifying competition. (Sportsmax)