Bengal T20 League: Shahbaz, Sumanta fire Rarh Tigers to table-top finish
Synopsis
Shrachi Rarh Tigers didn't just win their final league game — they sent a message. Shahbaz Ahmed's unbeaten 78 and Sumanta Gupta's 60 dismantled a 165-run target in under 18 overs, handing Rarh Tigers top spot in the Bengal T20 League Season 3 table and putting every semifinal rival on notice.
Key Takeaways
Shrachi Rarh Tigers beat Kolkata Royal Tigers by 7 wickets on 18 June at Eden Gardens, Kolkata .
Shahbaz Ahmed struck an unbeaten 78 off 45 balls to anchor the successful chase.
Sumanta Gupta contributed a fluent 60 off 40 balls in a match-winning partnership.
Abishek Porel scored an unbeaten 94 off 53 balls for Kolkata Royal Tigers, who posted 165/5 .
Rarh Tigers finished the league stage as table-toppers in Bengal T20 League Season 3 .
Shrachi Rarh Tigers sealed top spot in the Season 3 standings of the Bengal T20 League on 18 June, demolishing Kolkata Royal Tigers by seven wickets in their final league-stage fixture at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The victory, chased down in just 17.5 overs, confirmed Rarh Tigers as the team to beat heading into the semifinals.
Porel's 94 Sets a Competitive Target
Batting first, Kolkata Royal Tigers posted a challenging 165/5 in their allotted 20 overs, built almost entirely around a brilliant unbeaten 94 off 53 balls by Abishek Porel. The left-hander blended aggression with composure, keeping the innings alive even as wickets fell at regular intervals around him. For Rarh Tigers, Sukhmeet Singh, Shahbaz Ahmed, Rahul Prasad, and Dipanjan Mukherjee each claimed one wicket.
Shahbaz and Sumanta Dismantle the Chase
Shahbaz Ahmed anchored the reply with a match-defining unbeaten 78 off 45 balls, while Sumanta Gupta provided the ideal counterpart with a fluent 60 off 40 deliveries. The pair forged a match-winning partnership that put the result beyond doubt well before the final over. Rarh Tigers reached 166/3 in 17.5 overs, completing the chase with 13 balls to spare.
Table-Toppers Heading Into the Semifinals
The win caps a dominant league stage for Shrachi Rarh Tigers, who had already confirmed their semifinal berth before Thursday's game. Finishing as table-toppers gives them a potential home-ground advantage and momentum advantage as the knockout phase begins. This is the third season of the Bengal T20 League, and Rarh Tigers have underlined their status as one of the competition's most consistent sides.
About the Bengal T20 League
The Bengal T20 League is a franchise-based T20 competition organised under the aegis of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). The league features eight city-based franchises — Adamas Howrah Warriors, Novus Royals Purulia, Kolkata Royal Tigers, Murshidabad Kings & Kueens, Rashmi Nes Medinipur Wizards, Servotech Siliguri Strikers, Shrachi Rarh Tigers, and Sobisco Smashers Malda — representing the breadth of West Bengal across men's and women's competitions. Men's matches are held at Eden Gardens, with women's fixtures at the JU Salt Lake Campus, Kolkata. With the league stage now concluded, all eyes turn to the semifinals as the competition enters its most decisive phase.
Point of View
Particularly from selectors tracking domestic T20 form. Abishek Porel's 94 in a losing cause is equally noteworthy: a batter keeping a modest total competitive almost single-handedly is the kind of innings that builds reputations. The semifinals will test whether Rarh Tigers' top-of-the-table form translates into knockout composure — historically, the two are not always the same thing.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Bengal T20 League match between Rarh Tigers and Kolkata Royal Tigers on 18 June?
Shrachi Rarh Tigers won by seven wickets at Eden Gardens on 18 June, chasing down 165 in 17.5 overs. The victory confirmed them as Season 3 table-toppers.
How did Shahbaz Ahmed perform in the Bengal T20 League match?
Shahbaz Ahmed scored an unbeaten 78 off 45 balls, leading the chase alongside Sumanta Gupta. He also took one wicket in the bowling innings.
What did Abishek Porel score for Kolkata Royal Tigers?
Abishek Porel hit an unbeaten 94 off 53 balls to power Kolkata Royal Tigers to 165/5. Despite his innings, his side lost by seven wickets.
What is the Bengal T20 League and how many teams are in it?
The Bengal T20 League is a CAB-organised franchise T20 competition now in its third season, featuring eight city-based teams from across West Bengal. Men's matches are played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
What happens next for Shrachi Rarh Tigers in Season 3?
Having secured top spot in the league table, Shrachi Rarh Tigers advance to the semifinals as the highest-ranked side, carrying strong momentum from an unbeaten final league game.
