Former India all-rounder Stuart Binny is relishing his time in the International Masters League, where he is representing India Masters alongside some of the biggest names in cricket history. Speaking on the sidelines of the team’s training session ahead of their next clash against England Masters, Binny shared insights into the team’s preparations and his experience of playing alongside cricketing legends.
Team Preparations & Focus on One Game at a Time
Discussing the squad’s approach, Binny emphasized the importance of taking it one match at a time and ensuring players remain fresh for the challenges ahead.
“We had two days off. Yesterday was a complete rest day for recovery, with some pool sessions and stretching. Today, we’re back at practice, sharpening our skills. The whole team is putting in the hard work. We had a good start, even though it was a close game, and everyone is in good touch. Now, it’s about maintaining that rhythm.”
Reuniting with Old Teammates in India Masters
For Binny, the International Masters League is more than just a tournament—it’s a chance to reconnect with former teammates and relive cherished memories.
“The friendships we built during our playing days have never faded. Even after retiring, we’ve stayed in touch. But playing for your country again? That’s truly special. Not many get this opportunity after retirement, and we are lucky to be doing it again.”
While sharing the dressing room with legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh is an honor, Binny highlighted his excitement about reuniting with Vinay Kumar and Abhimanyu Mithun, his long-time Karnataka teammates.
“I think the most special thing for me is being back with my two Karnataka teammates—Vinay Kumar and Abhimanyu Mithun. The three of us played for Karnataka for over 10 years and achieved a lot of success together. Now, representing India Masters with them is an incredible feeling.”
India’s Win Against Pakistan & Champions Trophy Predictions
Binny also shared his thoughts on India’s dominant performance against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy and heaped praise on Virat Kohli, who played a crucial role in the victory.
“Whenever Virat Kohli scores, people praise him. But he has always been a great player. Even when he wasn’t getting big hundreds, he remained a team man, always pushing India forward. I loved watching him bat when I played with him, and I still enjoy it on TV.”
Defeating Pakistan in an ICC tournament is always a special moment, but Binny believes the job isn’t done yet. Looking ahead, he highlighted India’s strengths, especially in the bowling department, as key to their chances in the final.
“Winning against Pakistan in an ICC event is always special, but we still have a game to go. Conditions will be crucial, but we have Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel, who are well-suited for these conditions. With our strong bowling attack and world-class batting lineup, we have a great chance.”
As India Masters gear up for their next International Masters League match and Team India eyes Champions Trophy glory, Stuart Binny’s words reflect the spirit of camaraderie, nostalgia, and confidence that fuels cricket at every level.
