In an electrifying final of the Delhi Premier League 2025, the West Delhi Lions claimed the championship by defeating the Central Delhi Kings on Sunday, August 31. Skipper Nitish Rana played a match-winning unbeaten knock of 79 runs to guide the Lions past a target of 174 in just 18 overs, sealing a thrilling six-wicket victory.
Despite finishing third in the league stage with four wins out of ten, the Lions showcased their resilience and determination in the knockout stages, proving why T20 cricket is never predictable.
Central Delhi Kings Set a Challenging Target
Winning the toss, the Kings opted to bat first. Yugal Saini anchored the innings with a composed 65 off 48 balls, while Pranshu Vijayran played a blistering knock of 50 off just 24 deliveries. Together, they took the team to a competitive 173/7.
For the Lions, Manan Bhardwaj and Shivank Vashisht shared four wickets, keeping the Kings’ middle order in check and ensuring the target remained achievable.
Lions’ Chase: A Masterclass by Rana and Shokeen
Chasing 174, the Lions stumbled early, losing two wickets for just 15 runs. By the sixth over, the score read 66/3, and at the halfway mark, they were 96/4.
The chase was turned around by an unbroken 85-run partnership between Nitish Rana (79, 49)* and *Hrithik Shokeen (42, 27)**. Their calm and aggressive batting ensured the Lions reached the target in 18 overs, with six wickets in hand, earning them the Delhi Premier League 2025 Trophy.
- Standout Awards of the Final
- Player of the Match: Nitish Rana
- Most Economical Bowler: Manan Bhardwaj
- Super 6s of the Match: Nitish Rana
- Yorker of the Match: Simarjeet Singh
- Fantastic 4s of the Match: Hrithik Shokeen
- Catch of the Match: Mayank Gusain
- Fittest Player: Hrithik Shokeen
- Striker of the Match: Pranshu Vijayran
The Road Ahead
The Delhi Premier League 2025 has once again delivered unforgettable moments. From high-pressure chases to record-breaking performances, the season was packed with excitement. Nitish Rana’s brilliant performance in the final underlines his impact as a leader and match-winner.
Fans eagerly await the next season, hoping for more spectacular performances and thrilling finishes in India’s growing domestic T20 scene.
Top Performers of the 2025 Season
Leading Run-Scorers
| Player | Matches | Runs | High Score | Avg | SR | 50s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arpit Rana | 10 | 495 | 87 | 55 | 146.88 | 6 | 18 |
| Sarthak Ranjan | 9 | 449 | 100 | 56.13 | 146.73 | 4 | 21 |
| Yash Dhull | 8 | 435 | 105 | 87 | 167.31 | 3 | 18 |
| Nitish Rana | 11 | 393 | 134 | 65.5 | 181.94 | 1 | 34 |
Leading Wicket-Takers
| Player | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling | Economy | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Money Grewal | 11 | 20 | 5/23 | 7.81 | 11.3 |
| Simarjeet Singh | 11 | 20 | 5/23 | 8.66 | 10.5 |
| Rajneesh Dadar | 9 | 19 | 3/30 | 8.62 | 10.74 |
| Manan Bhardwaj | 10 | 14 | 3/12 | 5.74 | 14.57 |