CCL 2026 semi-final 2: J Karthik ensures Karnataka Bulldozers make it to yet another final

CCL 2026 semi-final 2: Karnataka Bulldozers were determined to beat the Vels Chennai Kings on their home ground in Coimbatore. They struggled, but got to the goal in the end.

CCL 2026: J Karthik's half century went a long way in getting the Bulldozers closer to the target

From the moment it became clear that the Karnataka Bulldozers would play the Vels Chennai Kings in the semi-final of CCL 2026, what they repeatedly said was that they wanted to defeat the latter on home ground. Last year, team Chennai had beaten the Bulldozers on their home ground in Mysuru and this was just the sweet revenge they dreamed of. Kings skipper Vikranth almost denied the Bulldozers this joy, but they managed to turn the tide around and make it to yet another Celebrity Cricket League final.

Vels Chennai Kings fumble after great start

CCL’s top scorer Vikranth, who only days ago almost single-handedly powered his team to victory over the Mumbai Heroes, which got them a semi-final spot, was looking for an encore. In 18 deliveries, he’d made 58, and was particularly harsh on Suniel Raoh. The Bulldozers got their first breakthrough when Ramana (7) departed, but dangerman Vikranth was still around. After 5 overs, they were 69-1.

Wickets began falling at the other end, which didn’t seem a big deal as long as Vikranth was there, but then, Chandan was brought into the attack and he uprooted the Kings skipper’s stumps. That was the wicket the Bulldozers needed to really stem the run flow. At the start of the 9thover, they were already down to 85-5. The projected score at this stage still looked promising, but highly unlikely to be attained.

Also read: CCL 2026 semi-final 1: Rahul powers Bengal Tigers into the final with scintillating win over Kerala Strikers

Towards the end, Aadhav tried to the team some momentum, with a valuable score of 31, but perished with one over to spare in trying to keep strike. And while the tail enders tried to do their bit, with some good running between the wickets, it just wasn’t enough and they folded for 160 all out.

Karnataka Bulldozers bring it down to the wire but persist eventually

In their chase, the Bulldozers lost opener Nirup Bhandari and then Chandan immediately after and the score board kept ticking at a much slower pace than the Kings in the initial overs. But with Darling Krishna still around and Rajeev Hanu expected to come in further down the line, there was nothing to worry, or so they thought. Until, of course, Krishna was bowled and Rajeev was caught out after Vikranth pulled off a stunner of a catch at the boundary.

Pressure mounted with every dot ball, appeal for dismal, even as J Karthik struggled to connect bat and ball. Karan tried too at the other end, but he was struggling with an injury and was operating with a runner and didn’t last long. Manjunath came and departed soon enough, bringing Sudeep to the crease. Can the skipper gift himself another final appearance?

Turns out, it was Karthik at the other end who finally put his time knocking around at the crease to good use, getting two 6’s and a boundary of Vikranth’s bowling. This timely knock, of course, brought the match back for the Bulldozers. JK could not stay until the winning run, which was eventually left to Sudeep, but if not for his half century, the Bulldozers would not be in the final.

Earlier in the day, in the first semi-final between the Bengal Tigers and Kerala Strikers, the former, the 2024 champions managed to make it to yet another final with a last minute effort by Rahul Mazumdar. They will play Karnataka Bulldozers in the final on February 1, 2026 at 6.30 pm. The match at the SNR Cricket Ground in Coimbatore will be live streamed on JioHotstar, available on OTTplay Premium as well.

CCL FAQs

Q. Where to watch CCL2026?

A. Season 12 of the Celebrity Cricket League began on January 16, 2026 and goes on till February 1. Eight teams are in the fray, with the winner getting a prize of Rs 50L. The matches are being live streamed on JioHotstar (available via OTTplay Premium also).

Q. Which team won CCL2025?

A. Punjab De Sher won CCL2025, but the team has already been knocked out of CCL2026, having lost two of its three group stage matches.

Share