The stage was set, the excitement palpable as the Celebrity Cricket League (CCL) kicked off its 2025 season with two electrifying matches featuring some of the biggest stars from the Indian film industry. This year, fans tuned in as the Telugu Warriors clashed with the Karnataka Bulldozers, and the Bengal Tigers squared off against the Chennai Rhinos. The competitions not only entertained but also revived the spirit of cricket merged with celebrity charisma.
On February 8, 2025, at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, the curtain raised on the first match. The Telugu Warriors, champions of the CCL multiple times, faced the formidable Karnataka Bulldozers, led by Kiccha Sudeep. Winning the toss, Telugu skipper Akhil Akkineni opted to send the Bulldozers to bat first, aiming for a solid chase later on.
The Bulldozers started their innings with Darling Krishna at the helm. Despite losing key wickets early, including Rajeev and J Karthik, Krishna's aggressive play steadied the ship. Their innings saw ups and downs but culminated successfully. After initial slow overs, they managed to compile 113 runs for the Warriors to chase down.
With 113 runs set as their target, the Telugu Warriors began cautiously but soon faced significant turbulence. Ashwin Babu was dismissed early, and the momentum shifted, bringing pressure on Akhil and his team. They rallied and delivered commendable performances, but the state of play fluctuated as the Karnataka bowlers executed precise deliveries, rotating their pressure well over the ten overs.
Despite Akhil’s deft half-century, tight bowling by Ganesh, who pocketed five wickets, restricted the Warriors to just 91 runs, losing by a margin of 46 runs. The shock of defeat hit the Warriors hard, shedding light on the challenges they face this season.
Meanwhile, on the same day, the CCL continued with another intriguing encounter—Bengal Tigers vs. Chennai Rhinos. The match erupted with enthusiasm, featuring players like Jisshu Sengupta for the Tigers and Arya captaining the Rhinos. The Bengal Tigers, after losing the toss and choosing to field, managed to put up barriers against the strong batting order of the Chennai Rhinos.
After concluding the first inning with 90 runs for four wickets, the Rhinos seemed well-poised for victory. Yet, the Tigers proved their mettle, returning strong to score 111 runs, giving them a 12-run victory under the spotlight. Their performance declared not just resilience but set the tone for the forthcoming matches.
With cricket fans constantly on the edge of their seats, CCL 2025 has unveiled its competitive spirit, with star-studded teams vying for supremacy. From pulsatile matches fostering technology and celebrity engagement, CCL continues to bridge the gap between fiction and reality on the cricket field.
Stay updated as the league makes its way to new matchups scheduled on February 9— where the Chandigarh Panthers are set to confront the Punjab De Sher, followed by the Mumbai Heroes clashing against the Bhojpuri Dabanggs. You can catch all the thrilling moments live on Sony Sports Ten 3 and Disney+ Hotstar as the Celebrity Cricket League showcases its talent along with the drama.