Bengal Tigers held their nerve in a high-pressure chase to defeat Kerala Strikers by 5 wickets in a gripping first semi-final of Celebrity Cricket League 2026. In a contest that went deep into the final overs, Bengal chased down 178 with calculated aggression to book their place in the grand finale.
Kerala Strikers Post Competitive 177/6
Batting first in the knockout clash, Kerala Strikers put up a strong total of 177/6 in 20 overs, powered by a couple of impressive knocks at the top.
Top Performers: Kerala Strikers
- Arjun Nanda Kumar: 61 (41 balls)
Anchored the innings with maturity, striking boundaries at crucial intervals. - Unni Mukundan: 41 (33 balls)
Provided a steady start and stitched a valuable opening partnership. - Madan Mohan: Quick 28 (14 balls)
Injected late momentum to push Kerala towards a defendable total.
Despite reaching a competitive score, Kerala lost momentum in the death overs as Bengal bowlers executed tight lines.
Bengal Tigers Chase with Composure
In response, Bengal Tigers finished at 178/5 in 19.4 overs, sealing victory with four balls to spare in a tense semi-final finish.
Top Performers: Bengal Tigers
- Jammy Banerjee: 64 (58 balls)
Played the anchor role brilliantly, absorbing pressure and guiding the chase deep. - Rahul Mazumder: 40 (11 balls)*
Delivered a stunning late cameo, turning the match decisively in Bengal’s favour with explosive hitting. - Jishu Sengupta: 23 (20 balls)
Provided stability in the middle overs when wickets were falling.
Early breakthroughs from Kerala created pressure, but Bengal rebuilt smartly before accelerating in the final phase.
Turning Points of the Match
- Kerala’s middle-order slowdown after a strong start
- Bengal’s ability to avoid panic after early wickets
- Rahul Mazumder’s explosive finishing burst
- Calm execution in the final two overs
Full Match Summary
Kerala Strikers: 177/6 (20 overs)
Bengal Tigers: 178/5 (19.4 overs)
Result: Bengal Tigers won by 5 wickets
What This Means
With this victory, Bengal Tigers advance to the CCL 2026 Final, carrying momentum and confidence into the title clash. Their balanced batting lineup and composure under pressure highlight their championship credentials.
Kerala Strikers exit the tournament after a competitive campaign but will rue missed opportunities in the death overs.
