CCL2026: Punjab De Sher beat Bhojpuri Dabanggs with blitzkrieg chase

When defending champions Punjab De Sher lost two of their 3 group stage matches, the writing seemed on the wall. They’d been eliminated from CCL2026. But on January 24, when Harrdy Sandhu’s team took the field against Bhojpuri Dabanggs, they had a strategy in place – go out with a bang, if that’s the case. Who knows, they could just worm their way back into the reckoning, if things don’t go too well for some of the other teams in their remaining matches.

Given how quickly team Punjab made mincemeat of the target set by the Dabanggs’, the net run rate calculation becomes pivotal now.

Bhojpuri Dabanggs fall short of planned total

A 200+ run score is what captain Manoj Tiwari reckoned his team would need against former champs Punjab De Sher, if they were to mount a successful defence. It was a good game plan, especially since multiple teams have chased down 190+ totals, with the Karnataka Bulldozers even getting to 227 for a win. The Dabanggs would need to do some real heavy hitting, with Manoj leading from the front. He lost fellow opener Tiger early on, but then Aditya gave him the support he needed.

But even though Manoj and Aditya both got half centuries, the tempo didn’t really pick up, because Punjab De Sher maintained a good line and length, focusing on the duck balls and the singles and twos. As long as the Dabanggs couldn’t find the boundary or beyond, they were fine. Eventually, including 11 extras, the Dabanggs could muster only 171 runs for the loss of 4 wickets, far below what they’d aimed for and more difficult to defend on the small ground in Coimbatore.

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

Chasing 172's no biggie for Punjab De Sher

Babbal Rai and Ninja opened and showed the Dabanggs’ bowlers that they meant business from the word go. Two losses down, they needed this win. What if, by some stroke of miracle, they do make it to the top 4 based on net run rate and the results of the remaining matches? Manoj got rid of Babbal early on, but Karan Wahi, who came in next, was in no mood to let the momentum drop. He was particularly harsh on Manoj, taking 22 of a total of 23 runs in the 5th over, including 3 sixes and a boundary. They were already at 71-1 after 5 over. In the 7th over, they went after Asgar, who gave away 21 including 3 sixes and took their score to 100-1.

It seemed that Ninja was unstoppable, but then Vikrant changed his line and sent the leg stump flying. But would that stem the flow of runs? Apparently not, because Karan continued the onslaught getting to his half century in only 13 balls, the fastest ever in the history of CCL. Vikrant’s over eventually cost 33 runs, including 5 sixes. Harrdy left shortly after, and then Karan too, having made 73 of only 22 balls. The score now, 158 for the loss of 4. The target only 14 runs away and with nearly 10 overs still to go.

Two new batsmen – Rahul and Anuj – but that didn’t slow down the chase. It was all over in the 12th over. Punjab got its consolation win, with a fine hit to the boundary. Will it also get them into the final 4? Well, that’s yet to be decided, but for now, they have reason to hope.

Up next, the Kerala Strikers head into their final group stage match against Vels Chennai Kings. Stay tuned for all the action on JioHotstar (also via OTTplay Premium).

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.