The Madhya Pradesh League 2025 concluded in dramatic fashion as Bhopal Leopards lifted their maiden title with a nerve-wracking three-run victory over Chambal Ghariyals in the final, held at the Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Stadium on Tuesday night. In a match packed with momentum swings and late heroics, it was Bhopal’s composure under pressure that eventually sealed their place in MPL history.
Asked to bat first, Bhopal struggled to post a commanding total, managing 156 in 19.2 overs—a score that looked subpar considering the pitch had yielded 200-plus totals throughout the tournament. The innings saw early setbacks, but Gautam Raghuwanshi (48 off 28) and Aniket Verma (40 off 24) provided much-needed stability with a brisk stand. Kamal Tripathi chipped in with a vital 24, but Bhopal fell short of fully capitalizing in the death overs.
ALSO READ
Chambal Ghariyals bowled with discipline, with Aman Bhadoriya, Tripuresh Singh, and Nayanraj Mewada taking two wickets each to restrict the flow of runs and keep Bhopal in check. The modest total seemed chaseable, especially with Chambal’s recent batting form, but the game unfolded with high drama.
Bhopal’s bowlers, led by captain Arshad Khan, came out with a clear plan and intensity, reducing Chambal to 22/4 in the powerplay. However, a remarkable recovery followed as skipper Shubham Sharma (51 off 45) and Tripuresh Singh (53 off 28) combined for a brilliant 72-run partnership. With just 21 runs needed off the last 12 balls, the tide appeared to turn.
Arshad Khan took the responsibility of the 19th over. Although the first delivery was smashed for six by Shubham, he recalibrated his approach, switching to slower cutters. The over turned the match when Aniket Verma executed a stunning boundary-line relay catch to dismiss Shubham, leaving Chambal requiring 13 off the last over.
Roshan Kewat, entrusted with defending the final over, showcased nerves of steel. After conceding two boundaries, the equation came down to four runs off two balls. But Tripuresh was run out on the penultimate delivery, and Kewat allowed only a single off the last ball, sealing a famous three-run win for Bhopal.
Speaking after the match, Arshad Khan reflected on the significance of the win. “Last year we fell short, and this time we were defending 156 when the average was over 200. The boys responded to the challenge. Aniket’s catch and Roshan’s calm over—these are moments that define champions,” he said. On his own performance, he added, “I missed the yorker first up, so I changed to cutters and trusted my execution. That catch from Aniket made everything possible.”
Arshad also credited his IPL experience for helping him manage pressure. “Whether it’s IPL or MPL, pressure is pressure. You need discipline and clarity. That’s what we focused on.”
Roshan Kewat, the unsung hero of the final over, gave credit to his captain. “Arshad bhai kept me calm. He told me what to bowl every ball. That gave me the confidence.”
Bhopal Leopards’ owner Abhishek Gupta celebrated the team’s long-awaited triumph. “This win means everything. Last season’s loss hurt deeply. The entire squad was focused on going one better. The way the boys performed under pressure shows how far we’ve come as a team,” he said.
For Chambal Ghariyals, it was a bittersweet ending to a dream debut season. Despite the heartache, their performance across both the men’s and women’s leagues—reaching both finals—speaks volumes of their foundation. Their owner Divyaraj Singh Kirar praised the effort, stating, “To make both finals in our very first MPL season is a proud achievement. The fight we showed, especially today, reflects the culture we’re building. This is just the beginning.”
Get every cricket update! Follow us on
