The excitement surrounding the Celebrity Cricket League (CCL) 2025 reached new heights as the semi-finals unfolded on March 1, 2025. The first semi-final pitted the undefeated Bengal Tigers against Punjab De Sher, with the latter surprising many by securing their place in the final after claiming victory by eight wickets.
Punjab De Sher emerged victorious thanks to resilient performances against the defending champions. Batting first, Bengal struggled significantly, collapsing to just 88 runs across their ten overs. The lone fighter was Rahul, who managed to score 46 runs, but it wasn't enough to prevent them from stalling.
“It was tough for our side at the start,” Bengal captain Jisshu Sengupta stated following the debacle. “Our batting just didn't click today, and you can't afford to be off your game at this level.”
Punjab opted to bowl first after winning the toss, which proved strategically advantageous. Harrdy Sandhu, with two wickets, led the attack, dismantling the Tigers’ batting lineup. After restricting Bengal, Punjab began their chase cautiously. They ended their first innings with 95 for 7, leaving Bengal needing to defend tightly, but they crumbled under pressure, managing only 71 runs at the end of their innings.
“We knew we had to stay focused after such a low target was set,” said Harrdy Sandhu, who also contributed with the bat, highlighting the importance of team bonding and experience during pressure situations.
Punjab's second innings was characterized by effective partnerships, particularly from Anuj and Harrdy, who guided the team to safety, finishing on 65 runs for 2 wickets and securing their spot for the final match against the winner of the second semi-final.
The second semi-final unfolded the same evening with high hopes pinned on Karnataka Bulldozers and Chennai Rhinos. This match also showcased the competitive spirit of the Celebrity Cricket League, with both teams battling fervently to advance. Karnataka, led by Kiccha Sudeep, had performed strongly during the league stage, but the Rhinos remained fierce competitors.
Karnataka finished their first innings at 123 runs for 5 wickets, setting the stage for Chennai to chase down the target. Prithvi, leading the charge, needed the team to muster 130 runs for victory. Unfortunately for the Rhinos, they faced difficulty at the start, losing two wickets on just the first ball bowled, leaving them reeling at 9 for 2.
Commenting on this rocky start, Arya, captain of Chennai Rhinos, expressed disappointment. “We didn’t expect to start so poorly; it put us on the back foot immediately,” he remarked.
Efforts from Vikranth, who provided resilience with 61 off 31 balls, sparked hope but proved insufficient by the end of the battle, concluding at 107 runs, leading to Karnataka's triumph.
“A thrilling match! Both teams put up great fights, but we had planned to contain their key players, and it worked for us today,” Kiccha Sudeep announced post-match, his confidence evident.
Looking forward to the final match on March 2, the stage is set for Punjab De Sher to take on Karnataka Bulldozers, promising yet another exciting chapter in the Celebrity Cricket League saga. Fans are expected to show up full force and stir the atmosphere as this match is anticipated to be filled with drama and unforgettable moments.
Complete play-by-play coverage, live score updates, and streaming details for the finals are to be made available on the CCL's official channels. Ticket sales have reportedly reached full capacity as excitement builds for the climactic end to this season. Fans eagerly await to see if Punjab can upset the Bulldozers and take home the trophy or if Karnataka can assert their dominance and claim the title.
This year, the CCL has certainly moved to new heights, eleving both entertainment and cricketing skills of celebrated actors. Each match served as both competition and celebration of cinema and sport, marking CCL 2025 as one for the books.