Karnataka Bulldozers on CCL 2023: ‘Not the way we wanted to end the tournament’

The Karnataka Bulldozers have played in the Celebrity Cricket League final six out of eight times since the tournament’s inception in 2011. They fancied a seventh outing and maybe even a third time of taking the cup home this year. The team had, after all, made it to the stage of four, after winning all their qualifying matches on trot. But on Friday evening, they had formidable opposition in the form of three-time champions Telugu Warriors, who, on the day, just turned out to be the better team and booted the Bulldozers from the tournament.

Taking to their official social media in the aftermath of the shock defeat, the team posted, “Definitely not the way we wanted the tournament to end! We would like to wholeheartedly thank all our fans and supporters who always stood with us through our thick and thin. We will come back stronger next season! 💪Until then, keep supporting us and keep loving us!”

Fans, who had been following the tournament and the team’s progression over the weeks sent them love, but also shared suggestions they think will hold the Bulldozers in good stead going forward. The overwhelming sentiment on social media has been that former skipper Kiccha Sudeep, whose contribution to the team in terms of runs has been a measly 12 from five matches - including the five ball duck in the semi-final – ought to remain an icon player and stay in the team dug out. “Sudeep anna, you please go watch the game and support the team. You are pushing 50 and would not like to see you play and injure yourself. Instead, we would rather see you onscreen in films, doing your bit for the Kannada industry,” wrote one netizen. Another was harsher and said that the Kannada superstar’s five-ball duck ruined the team’s power play chances in the second innings. Adding to this, another wrote, “ Sudeep sir played 5 balls, the 1st four balls he faced he didn't even touched the ball,and the 5th blall he got out, the fielder droped the catch (intentionally) but he ran himself out,if he scored 5 runs in 5 balls we should won the match.”