Nitish Rana Leads West Delhi Lions to Maiden DPL2025 Title

New Delhi, Sep 1 (PTI) Former Kolkata Knight Riders captain Nitish Rana demonstrated his strength in the shortest format yet again, scoring an unbeaten 79 off 49 balls to lead the West Delhi Lions to their first-ever Delhi Premier League (DPL2025) title. The Lions defeated the Central Delhi Kings by six wickets.

The Lions were chasing a target of 174 and faced early setbacks as Central Delhi Kings' bowlers Simarjeet Singh and Arun Pundir struck rapidly, reducing them to 48 for 3 within the fifth over.

The magnitude of the final was palpable, but captain Rana rose to the occasion. He and Mayank Gusain rebuilt the innings with a 42-run partnership. Gusain, who scored 15 off 11 balls, fell to leg-spinner Tejas Baroka, but by that time, Rana had already established control.

Rana then found a perfect partner in former Mumbai Indians player Hrithik Shokeen. The pair ensured there were no more hiccups. Shokeen played a steady knock, remaining unbeaten on 42 off 27 balls, while Rana showcased a masterclass of controlled aggression, hitting seven sixes in his innings.

Their unbeaten partnership not only neutralized the Kings’ bowling attack but also successfully led the Lions to victory.

Earlier, batting first, the Central Delhi Kings mounted a tremendous comeback after a shaky start, posting a competitive total of 173/7 in their allotted 20 overs. Skipper Rana also impressed with the ball, bowling tight off-breaks and finishing with figures of 1/16 in four overs.

The Kings' top order struggled under pressure with wickets falling at regular intervals. At one stage, they were reeling at 78/6, and the West Delhi Lions seemed in full control.

However, the narrative shifted when Yugal Saini and Pranshu Vijayran came together at the crease. Demonstrating resilience, composure, and intelligent shot selection, they forged a crucial 78-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Yugal anchored the innings with a steadfast 65 off 48 balls, combining steady accumulation with timely boundaries. At the other end, Pranshu thrived in the aggressor role, scoring a brilliant unbeaten 50 off just 24 deliveries.