Reigning champions score a one-run victory over Karnataka Bulldozers

It was a repeat final of the last edition when Chennai Rhinos and Karnataka Bulldozers clashed for honours. And, the result, in front of a boisterous crowd at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here on Sunday night was the same, as it was the Chennai outfit which emerged champions for the second time in-a-row with an exciting one-run win over Karnataka Bulldozers in the final of the second Celebrity Cricket League.

The final saw stars from Tamil and Kannada tinsel world twinkle under the lights on a cricket field. At one stage, it looked as if it would be a perfect birthday gift for Bulldozers coach and former India star Gundappa Vishwanath. But, that was not to be as Chennai Rhinos kept cool under pressure in the exciting final over to pull off a last ball win. From the cricketing perspective, Vikraanth's unbeaten 95 helped Chennai Rhinos score 161 for four in 20 overs. In reply, Bulldozers recovered well from a dismal 34 for three at one stage. But it turned out to be a simple case of so near yet so far for them, this despite some sensible batting by Dhruv and Karthik and some shoddy fielding display in Rhinos, especially in the slog overs.

It was an exciting finish as Bulldozers required 10 runs from the last over from Vikraanth to clinch the issue. And, he cleaned up the well-set Dhruv (58, 46 balls) with the first ball. Captain Sudeep hit 4, 2, 2 before being run out. Then, Vikraanth ran out non-striker Karthik in his follow-through without completing that delivery, an action which stunned the Karnataka camp. Still two runs were needed of the last ball and another run out triggered off celebrations in Chennai camp.

The glamour in the form of the presence of stars like Charmee, Kajal drew huge response when their pictures were beamed on the giant screen.

At the end of it all, as both Sharath of Chennai Rhinos and Victory Venkatesh of Telugu Warriors remarked ‘result' was not that all important and for them the journey of CCL has more significance.

Scores

The scores: Chennai Rhinos 161 for four in 20 overs (Vikraanth 95 not out) bt Karnataka Bulldozers 160 for six in 20 overs (Dhruv 58, Karthik 51).