CCL 2025: Match 1 Bengal Tigers trounce Chennai Rhinos in season opener match

Defending champions Bengal Tigers began their title defence with what looks like a resounding win over the Chennai Rhinos, who fell short of 12 runs in their chase. Interestingly, after the first set of innings of 10 overs each, the Rhinos appeared to have the upper hand. But Jisshu Sengupta’s boys turned the tide around and ensured that the season opener was a win for their side. This was the first match of Celebrity Cricket League 2025, at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

The Bengal Tigers won the toss and elected to bat first, with their star batsman Jammy Banerjee opening along with Bonny, but they lost two wickets in quick succession. Amid good bowling and fielding by the Chennai Rhinos, hits to the boundary literally dried up. By the end of 6 overs, they were 3 down, with Rahul also departing. Unfortunately, for the Tigers, big hitter Jammy was the next to leave, with a lofted shot landing safely in the hands of the fielder just inside the boundary line.The first 6 came in the 7th over, off of the bat of Joy, which he followed with a 4, making it a 20-run over including extras. Eventually, the Bengal Tigers got to a modest 79-5, with extras contributing as the third highest score, after Jammy (22), and Joy (19), at 18 runs.

Also read: Celebrity Cricket League 2025: Revised schedule and live telecast; action to kick off in Bengaluru 

In response, Chennai Rhinos openers Ramana and Sharan gave their team a much better start. The duo put on 50-run partnership before Sharan lost his wicket. Ramana followed without being able to add further to the team total. From 50 for no loss, suddenly, the score was 50-2. Prithvi and Vikranth (skipper), who came in tried to steady the innings, but the latter returned to the pavilion a few balls and 13 runs later.The Chennai Rhinos closed their first innings at 90-4 eventually, with a 11-run lead. 

After the ‘setback’ of their first innings, though, the defending champions were in no mood for a repeat. Joy and Rahul opened, and almost repeated the feat that Ramana and Sharan had achieved. After a 48-run partnership, Joy departed. In an interesting turn of events, after Ananda had to retire hurt, the team sent Jammy in, but just after he scored a run, the latter was asked to return to the dug-out, because as per the rule book of the league, he could not bat in the top 3 in the second innings. 

So, off he went, only to return a ball later, when Ratnadeep appeared to sacrifice his wicket in a run-out. But the Rhinos ensured that Jammy doesn’t get too comfortable at the crease, sending him back scoring only 7 runs, with 3 balls to go in the last over. Skipper Jisshu and Yusuf got the team past the three-figure mark, getting to a total of 111-4, setting the Rhinos a target of 101 for the win. There have been high-scoring chases in the past, but could the Rhinos manage it? At a required run-rate of 10 per over, this chase was not going to be easy, but if the Rhinos keep their wickets intact, perhaps it would be doable.

Also read: CCL 2025: Kiccha Sudeep says first match against Telugu Warriors will be a tough one 

But then, they lost 2 wickets early on and skipper Vikranth who was looking to stabilize the innings was also sent back following a rather strange stumping. After 5 over, the Rhinos were 3 down for 40, needing 61 runs in another 30 balls. The Bengal Tigers bowling line-up, though, really tightened the screws on the Rhinos, who struggled to connect bat with bowl and steadily saw the run-rate climbing and pressure mounting.

The Rhinos managed a few big hits but they all came too late in the day, when the match had already slipped out of their hands. Eventually, they folded at 88-4, largely on the back of Dasarathi’s explosive 28 of 11 balls.

Up next, on day 1 is the highlight match, with home team Karnataka Bulldozers taking on the Telugu Warriors.