Haridwar Elmas clinched the Uttarakhand Premier League 2025 title in dramatic fashion, chasing down 149 runs with four balls to spare in a thrilling grand finale at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun on Sunday.
After winning the toss, Haridwar Elmas elected to bowl first, and their decision proved good as they restricted Nainital Tigers to 148/6. The Nainital innings began disastrously when Prashant Bhati dismissed both openers Dhruv Pratap Singh (12 off 6) and Aarav Mahajan
(2 off 6) inside four overs.
In at No.3, Rahul Raj Namala injected momentum into the Tigers' innings with an entertaining 29 off 20, striking two boundaries and three sixes. Captain Bhupen Lalwani attempted to anchor the innings with a measured 35 from 42 deliveries before retiring out in the nineteenth over.
The cornerstone of Nainital's total was an outstanding unbeaten half-century from the in-form Shashwat Dangwal, who remained unbeaten on 52 from 41 deliveries. His composed innings, decorated with three boundaries and two sixes, provided the Tigers with a competitive total. The lower order contributed minimally as wickets fell at regular intervals.
Prashant Bhati emerged as Haridwar's most economical bowler with impressive and economic figures of 2/16 from four overs, while Harjeet Singh and Sumit Juyal claimed one wicket apiece.
Haridwar's run chase commenced poorly as Anmol Shah struck immediately, removing opener Himanshu Sony for a golden duck off just the second ball of the innings. However, captain Kunal Chandela launched a spirited counterattack, smashing 33 runs off 19, studded with seven fours, setting the platform for the chase.
The middle order witnessed a precarious phase as Priyanshu Khanduri managed only six runs, and Neeraj Rathour contributed 17 before falling to Dikshanshu Negi. Saurav Chauhan's useful 25 off 23 balls and Vishal Dangwal's enterprising 23 from 19, including a crucial six, steadied the innings before both departed at critical junctures.
The decisive partnership materialized through the lower-middle order. Uzair Malik played a vital cameo, remaining unbeaten on 22 from 13 deliveries with two powerful sixes that swung momentum decisively towards Haridwar. Siddharth Gupta provided the finishing touches with an explosive unbeaten 15 off just five balls, including two sixes in the final over, sealing a memorable four-wicket win.
Vishal Kumar Saini was Nainital's most successful bowler with 2/23, while Satyam Baliyan proved expensive despite claiming one wicket.
The match epitomized T20 cricket at its finest, with Haridwar Elmas demonstrating remarkable composure under pressure to secure their maiden Uttarakhand Premier League championship.
Tournament Awards: Celebrating the Stars
The Uttarakhand Premier League 2025 concluded with the presentation of individual accolades recognizing outstanding performances throughout the competition. Haridwar Elmas captain Kunal Chandela enjoyed a stellar tournament, claiming a remarkable double by winning both the Best Batter award and the prestigious Player of the Tournament honour.
The explosive opener amassed an impressive 455 runs, the most in this tournament, across seven innings at an outstanding average of 75.83, while maintaining a blistering strike rate of 177.04. His consistent contributions with the bat along with his leadership proved instrumental in guiding his side to the championship title.
The Best Bowler award was presented to Rishikesh Falcons' Jagmohan Nagarkoti, whose brilliant right-arm fast bowling proved decisive throughout the tournament. The pace bowler claimed 12 wickets across six innings, maintaining an economy rate of 10.37 whilst bowling 58 dot balls. The top wicket taker of the tournament’s ability to strike regularly made him a formidable opponent.
Meanwhile, 20-year-old Sanskar Rawat of Dehradun Warriors was recognized as the Emerging Player of the competition. The young batter demonstrated exceptional promise, accumulating 297 runs in seven innings at a remarkable average of 59.40 while striking at an explosive rate of 180. His mature performances marked him as a prospect of immense potential for Uttarakhand cricket's future.
