CCL2026: Karnataka Bulldozers send Telugu Warriors packing in high scoring T20 encounter

CCL2026: Akhil Akkineni’s Telugu Warriors scored the highest total of the tournament yet, but that was just not enough to stop the rampaging Karnataka Bulldozers

CCL2026: Rajeev Hanu celebrates his century against the Telugu Warriors

When the Telugu Warriors and Karnataka Bulldozers play each other, it will, without fail, be a cracker of a match. And on Friday night, when CCL returned for the final leg of group stage matches, it was no different. For the Warriors, this was the last opportunity to give themselves a fighting chance to get into the top 4 and advance to the next level. They’d already played two matches, of which they lost one and won the other.

In a tournament in which each side plays 3 group stage matches only, this was the do-or-die moment and it came against the Bulldozers. Kiccha Sudeep’s boys had won their first encounter a week ago and could breathe easier, what with one more match to go after this. The Warriors put on a very competitive score, after being sent in to bat, but when the Bulldozers’ top order clicks, there’s no total too big for them.

Telugu Warriors put up highest score of season

Warriors skipper Akhil Akkineni knew that they’d need a good score against the Bulldozers and for this, he’d need the big guns of the team to fire. This time it was the turn of Ashwin Babu to lead the charge, with a whopping 132 of only 69 balls. Akhil, who’d scored the tournament’s first century in their last game, also chipped in with 44 runs. Their partnership was broken only after they’d got the team total to 103, which helped them get to 226 for the loss of 5 wickets in their 20 overs. The highest score of the tournament, which gave the Bulldozers and asking rate of nearly 11 per over from the word go in their chase. This should be easy to defend, thought Akhil.

Also read: CCL2026: Is THIS team winning season 12 of the star-led cricket tournament?

Warriors’ total is a walk in the park for the Bulldozers

Time and again, the Bulldozers have demonstrated what a solid batting lineup they have, especially if their top order gets going. Rajeev Hanu and Pradeep Bogadi began the run chase and it seemed that these two came with a game plan of chasing down the total between the two of them. The partnership was eventually broken just after the half-way mark with the team total at 134. But then walked in Darling Krishna, who was the top batsman in the last edition of the tournament and is even more dangerous a player if he gets going. Between them, they ensured that the rest of the team didn’t have to sweat and could just stay in the dug-out and party. The win came with2 and a half overs to spare, catapulting the Bulldozers to second place on the points table with one more match to go, while the Warriors return home, having failed to qualify for the semis second time in a row.

Day 2 of the Coimbatore leg of CCL2026 matches will have Punjab De Sher against the Bhojpuri Dabanggs. This match is at 2 pm. Thereafter, it’s the turn of the Kerala Strikers and Vels Chennai Kings at 6.30 pm. All the matches can be streamed live on JioHotstar (available via OTTplay Premium too).

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.

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