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CCL 2025: Karnataka Bulldozers skipper Kiccha Sudeep on why he likes the T20 Test format game

In the absence of Pradeep Bogadi, Kiccha Sudeep has assumed captaincy duty yet again, which entails a lot of strategizing, given the rules and regulations to be followed in CCL.

CCL 2025: Karnataka Bulldozers skipper Kiccha Sudeep on why he likes the T20 Test format game
Kiccha Sudeep and Petrol Prasanna in a CCL file image

Last Updated: 07.42 PM, Jan 31, 2025

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In just over a week, Kiccha Sudeep and his team, the Karnataka Bulldozers will take on Akhil Akkineni’s Telugu Warriors on Day 1 of Season 11 of the Celebrity Cricket League, which kicks off in Bengaluru. The Karnataka Bulldozers, a team that has played the most finals ever in the tournament, play the second match of the day, following the inaugural one between the Chennai Rhinos and defending champions Bengal Tigers.

Pradeep Bogadi will miss CCL 2025
Pradeep Bogadi will miss CCL 2025

T20 Test format has advantages: Kiccha Sudeep

This time too, Celebrity Cricket League will follow the T20 match played in Test format, with teams getting 2 innings of 10 overs each. This, says Sudeep, is a unique format followed only by this tournament, which, he reckons, has multiple advantages. “Personally, I like this format a lot, because there is equity between the teams. Just because an innings is split into 2, doesn’t mean that anyone gets a breather. For audiences, this format means that you will get to see your favourite actor-player bat, bowl or field twice over. So, even if he fails to deliver in one innings, there’s always hope of him firing away in the next,” says Sudeep.

The actor, who is also the team’s wicket-keeper, adds that the rules also require that every member is able to deliver. “In the playing 11, 7 have to be A-category players, with only the remaining 4 in the B-category. In the first innings, the top three batsmen have to be A-category, and only after can a B-category player take the field. Also, the 3 who come in to bat first in the first innings, cannot play in the same order in the second innings,” explains Sudeep, adding that the same rule applies for bowlers too.

Skippers of the finale teams, Jisshu Senguptha (Bengal Tigers) and Kiccha Sudeep (Karnataka Bulldozers)
Skippers of the finale teams, Jisshu Senguptha (Bengal Tigers) and Kiccha Sudeep (Karnataka Bulldozers)

All of this, he says, requires a lot of strategizing, which, as captain, he has to constantly keep in mind. This also means that it is very important for everyone on the team to have a decent flair for batting and bowling.

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