New Delhi, September 1 (HS) : In a thrilling final at Arun Jaitley Stadium, West Delhi Lions emerged victorious over Central Delhi Kings by 6 wickets to lift the Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2025 trophy. Captain Nitish Rana once again proved to be the savior, delivering an unbeaten masterclass of 79 runs to guide his team to glory.

Chasing a target of 174, the Lions stumbled early, losing three wickets for 48 runs as Simarjeet Singh and Arun Pundir dealt early blows. Under pressure, Rana took charge, forging a vital 42-run partnership with Mayank Gusain. Although Gusain fell for 15 runs, Rana had already gained control of the game.

Rana then linked up with Ritik Shaukeen, and the duo stitched together an unbroken partnership to seal the win. Shaukeen played a measured knock of 42* off 27 balls while Rana exhibited controlled aggression, unleashing a flurry of boundaries that kept the scoreboard ticking. Their calm yet commanding stand dismantled the opposition bowling attack and secured the championship for West Delhi Lions.

Earlier, Central Delhi Kings, after a shaky start, rallied to post a competitive 173/7 in 20 overs. At one point struggling at 78/6, a crucial 78-run partnership between Yugal Saini and Pranshu Vijayran turned the tide. Saini’s patient 65 off 48 balls combined with Vijayran’s explosive unbeaten 50 off just 24 deliveries brought the Kings back into contention.

On the bowling front, Manan Bhardwaj was outstanding with figures of 2/11 in 3 overs, while Shivank Vashisht contributed with 2 wickets for 12 runs in 2 overs. Captain Nitish Rana also made his impact with the ball, claiming a key wicket for just 16 runs in 4 overs.

Nitish Rana’s all-round heroics were the cornerstone of West Delhi Lions’ title-winning campaign, delivering in both the clutch batting moments and with impactful bowling, showcasing why he is a true leader on and off the field.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar