CCL 2025 Day 3: Match 6 Telugu Warriors successfully defend low target against Bhojpuri Dabanggs

In 2023, the Bhojpuri Dabanggs had a dream run, winning all their group stage matches, and making it to the final, only to stumble at the last hurdle. They lost to the Telugu Warriors, and gave their opponents a 4thCCL title. So, when they met again in the group stage of CCL 2025, they were determined to get a different result. But would the Warriors let that happen? Well, not on Akhil Akkineni’s watch.

The news from the middle was that the Telugu Warriors would bat first, after Akhil Akkineni won the toss. For the home team, a win would be the only way to keep them alive and kicking in the tournament and Akhil said that he was hoping for his big guns, Ashwin Babu and Thaman, to fire. The start, though, was not great, what with opener Aadarsh departing on only the second ball by Dabanggs skipper Manoj Tiwari when he was run out. On the very next ball, Manoj got Sachin out and then sent Ashwin also back. Thaman, who then joined Akhil, survived a duck ball and another great delivery that got them 2 runs by way of leg byes.

Also read: CCL 2025 Day 3: Match 5 Darling Krishna and Karan Aryan power Karnataka Bulldozers to victory over the Chennai Rhinos 

Thaman’s luck didn’t last long. As captain Akhil led the charge, Thaman remained at the non-striker’s end for an entire over, only to then face Asgar Khan in the next and fall plump lbw. All 4 of the Telugu Warrior batsmen who had left until then had added zilch to the team total. In the company of Samba, Akhil tried to stabilize the innings and put some runs on the board. Samba departed making 18, and shortly after Akhil, who’d gotten to 41 from 28 balls, also left, leaving the Warriors in doldrums. Eventually, they were bundled out for 80-8.

The Dabanggs seemed to be in early trouble when they lost opener Pravesh with the score at 15 only. But then Aditya and Anshuman dug them out of this tight spot. While Aditya remained unbeaten at 61, Anshuman departed making 42 of 18. Asgar Khan, the big hitter of the Dabanggs’ first match, failed to deliver this time, bowled out by Sachin with only 4 runs to his credit. The Dabanggs got to 126 for the loss of 4 wickets in their 10 overs, giving them a lead of 46 over the Warriors.

When Ashwin and Thaman then came to open for the second innings, they levelled scores in 2.3 overs, getting to 46 for no loss, with a bunch of big hits, and leaving them with 7 overs to try and steer the match in their direction. Their partnership didn’t last much longer and then the Warriors had a little bit of a collapse, losing 2 more wickets in quick succession. The captain stepped up yet again and attempted to put the team back in the driver’s seat, as did Samba. But despite their best efforts, 132 for 6 is all they could muster, which meant that 87 is all that the Dabanggs needed for a win.

Considering how well the Dabanggs chased down the first innings total, the second one should have also been a cakewalk. But the Warriors were in no mood to let that happen and literally made the Dabanggs sweat. From a comfortable and achievable chase, the Dabanggs were brought to an almost unattainable position, with the bowlers of the Warriors side maintaining a tight line and getting wickets at regular intervals. They needed 17 in the last over, which, technically, would be doable. First ball was a 6, followed by a wicket. 4 balls to go and 10 runs needed at this stage. But in trying to get those cheeky big shots in and getting to the target, the Dabanggs only managed to lose yet another wicket and then one more – all out at 78. That’s what the Dabanggs were reduced to.

The action continues in Hyderabad on February 15 with the Karnataka Bulldozers yet again playing the first match, only this time, they will be up against the Mumbai Heroes. Thereafter, home team Telugu Warriors take the field with a match against the Chennai Rhinos. 

All the matches are being broadcast on Sony Sports Ten 3, with streaming available on JioHotstar.