The great Sachin Tendulkar is set for a return to cricket with the new International Masters League (IML) that will kick off this year. The International Masters League is the brainchild of legendary Sunil Gavaskar and Tendulkar and will feature six teams – India, England, Australia, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and the West Indies.

The matches will be played in November in Mumbai, Lucknow, and Raipur and the full schedule is expected to be out soon.

The tournament promises to rekindle memories and draw out new battles, as it brings back the magic of some of the game’s greatest players. While Tendulkar will be seen playing for the Indian team, Gavaskar has been appointed as the League Commissioner.

“Cricket continues to grow in popularity not just in India, but across the world. In the last decade, T20 cricket has accelerated its adoption, and has drawn new fans into the game. There is now a strong desire among fans across ages, to re-witness age-old battles in newer formats,” Tendulkar said.

“Sportspersons never retire at heart, and the competitive streak within, waits for an opportunity to get back on the field. We have conceived the International Masters League as a meeting point of passionate fans and competitive cricketers. I am certain all players participating will get back into the groove and prepare hard. When we represent our countries, we all want to play top quality cricket and try to win.”

Tendulkar and Gavaskar will be collaborating with PMG Sports and SPORTFIVE Sports Management LLC to organise the league.

Sunil Gavaskar, commissioner of the International Masters League, said: “T20 cricket’s rise offers a fantastic opportunity to relive the magic of the sport we love. The International Masters League will bring fans closer to the legends they’ve admired for years, offering another golden chance to watch their heroes LIVE in action. This is more than just a tournament—it’s a celebration of nostalgia, where unforgettable moments of cricketing brilliance will come alive once again. We invite everyone to join us on this exciting journey and create new memories together.”