Kanhangad Bulls edge Deccan Strikers by 1 run in thriller
- September 13, 2025
At DCS You Selects Arena 2, KCC Kanhangad Bulls survived a heart-stopping finish to defeat Team R One Deccan Strikers by just one run in the Tranquil Developers You Selects IPL 2025 Exhibition League. It was a contest filled with tension, drama, and momentum shifts before the Bulls’ bowlers closed out the game under immense pressure.
The Bulls’ innings started with stumbles as Jamshad and Shahad were dismissed early, leaving their side in a tricky position. The responsibility fell on skipper Ali CK, who rose to the occasion with 43 off 35 balls, blending patience with controlled aggression. He struck two fours and four sixes, shifting the tempo in the middle overs. Riyaz Mohammed added 21 runs to hold the innings together while Jabbar Ponganam and VIPI 99 provided handy runs that gave their side a chance to rebuild. Ali’s presence at the crease was the glue that held the innings together, ensuring momentum didn’t drift away completely.
The lower order played their part in adding valuable late runs. Sulthan Siqhandar’s brisk eight off three balls and Sujith SLS’s unbeaten 12 made sure the Bulls reached a total worth defending. Though wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals, small contributions from across the order kept the scoreboard moving. Extras proved decisive, with Deccan conceding 16 runs that eventually swelled Kanhangad’s tally to 149 for 9. It wasn’t a mammoth score, but it gave their bowlers something to fight for.
Deccan’s reply faltered from the outset as the Bulls’ new-ball bowlers ran riot. Unnikrishnan and Sikkandar struck repeatedly to reduce the Strikers to 6 for 4 in just three overs. Ryan Style and Mithunraj Shetty were among the victims of this early collapse, and the chase appeared over before it had begun. However, Jineesh Shaji led a spirited revival with 59 off 37 balls, peppered with four boundaries and three sixes. His counterattacking innings brought energy to Deccan’s chase and shifted the pressure back onto the bowlers.
Support came from Noorul Aslam, who struck an unbeaten 29 from 17 balls, and Raavan Athigaram, who added 16 in the middle overs. With wickets falling, Deccan’s pursuit of 150 went down to the wire. At 141 for 7 in the 19th over, they needed just nine runs to win, but the Bulls’ attack held its nerve. Unnikrishnan (3/27), Sulthan Siqhandar (2/11), and Riyaz Mohammed (1/29) executed superbly in the death overs, leaving Deccan stranded at 148 for 9, just one run short of a famous win.
Star of the Match – Unnikrishnan E P
KCC Kanhangad Bulls
Claimed 3 for 27 in four overs, removing key batters early and holding his composure in the death overs to secure victory.
Master Blaster – Jineesh Shaji
Deccan Strikers
Crafted a counterattacking 59 off 37 balls with four fours and three sixes, nearly producing a miraculous turnaround for his team.
Power Arm – Sulthan Siqhandar
KCC Kanhangad Bulls
Bowled with accuracy and control, finishing with 2 for 11 in his four overs, crippling Deccan’s top order with two key wickets.
Safe Hands – Jineesh Shaji
Deccan Strikers
Pulled off the best catch of the match, judged to perfection under pressure, highlighting his brilliance as a complete all-round contributor.
“We kept calm under pressure, and the bowlers delivered when it mattered most. A collective effort sealed this victory for us.”
Ali CK
Captain – Kanhangad Bulls
“Jineesh’s innings gave us belief, but small mistakes cost us in the chase. We’ll bounce back stronger in the next game.”
Rao
Captain – Deccan Strikers
Recent
- Asim’s Ton, Pratham’s Precision—Mangalore Masters Maul Calicut Sixers Under the Sharjah Lights
- Aditya Anchors, Abhijith Blazes – Deccan Strikers Down Kochi Kingsmen in Sharjah Showdown
- Devanath Destroys, Sahil Shines – Mumbai Rangers Dazzle Past Chennai Thalaivas
- Vinod and Anish Shine as Goa Strikers Edge Indore Chargers in a Nail-Biting Thriller
- Gopal’s Power Show, Shiyad’s Fireworks – Gwalior Knights Storm Past Bengaluru in Style