APL 2025: Denish Das, Dihingia steer Barpeta Braves to 14-run VJD win vs Nagaon
Synopsis
Captain Denish Das's unbeaten 46 and Saurav Mousum Dihingia's composed 40 not out sealed a rain-affected 14-run VJD win for Barpeta Braves over Nagaon Rangers in the APL — and in the same stroke, sent three teams packing from the tournament.
Key Takeaways
Barpeta Braves defeated Nagaon Rangers by 14 runs via the VJD Method at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium, Guwahati on 16 August .
Nagaon Rangers posted 133/6 in 20 overs; Jitu Ali top-scored with an unbeaten 76 off 48 balls .
Captain Denish Das scored an unbeaten 46 off 32 at a strike rate of 143.75 ; Saurav Mousum Dihingia made 40* off 46 .
Barpeta were 109/1 in 16 overs when rain stopped play; the VJD Method decided the result.
Nagaon Rangers , Tezpur Titans , and Jorhat Stallions are all eliminated from the next stage of the APL .
Barpeta Braves defeated Nagaon Rangers by 14 runs via the VJD Method in the Assam Premier League (APL) at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday, 16 August, with captain Denish Das and Saurav Mousum Dihingia anchoring an unbeaten partnership before rain cut the chase short. The result simultaneously eliminated Nagaon Rangers, Tezpur Titans, and Jorhat Stallions from the next stage of the competition.
Nagaon Rangers' Innings: Jitu Ali Carries the Fight
Asked to bat first, Nagaon Rangers posted 133/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Jitu Ali was the standout performer, finishing unbeaten on 76 off 48 balls — an innings laced with seven fours and three sixes that kept Nagaon in contention throughout. Dhruv Raaj Borah chipped in with 20 off 19 balls, and SK Jnyanam contributed 12 to the total.
Barpeta's bowlers largely kept the scoring in check despite Jitu's late acceleration. Bikiran Das was the pick of the attack, returning impressive figures of 2/18 from his four overs.
Barpeta Braves' Chase: Das and Dihingia Take Control
Barpeta's reply suffered an early setback when Hrishikesh Das departed for 21 in the sixth over. However, Dihingia and captain Denish Das steadied the innings with a composed, unbeaten partnership that kept the required rate comfortably within reach.
Dihingia remained not out on 40 off 46 balls, striking four boundaries, while Denish Das led from the front with an unbeaten 46 off 32 deliveries — including three fours and a six — at a strike rate of 143.75. Barpeta had reached 109/1 in 16 overs when rain intervened, and the VJD Method handed them a 14-run victory.
Qualification Picture: Three Teams Eliminated
The win keeps Barpeta Braves firmly in contention for the top spots in the APL standings. In contrast, Sunday's result ended the campaigns of Nagaon Rangers, Tezpur Titans, and Jorhat Stallions, all three of whom are now officially out of the running for the next stage. Notably, this is a significant shift in the tournament's competitive landscape heading into the final phase.
What's Next
With three teams eliminated, the remaining contenders will be looking to consolidate their positions in the APL. Barpeta Braves, boosted by their captain's consistent performances, appear well-placed to push for a top-two finish as the league stage reaches its climax.
Point of View
Still unfamiliar to many fans, decided a crucial elimination outcome here — raising the question of whether tournament organisers have done enough to communicate the rain-rule mechanics to spectators. With three teams gone in one evening, the APL's final phase now has sharper stakes and fewer margin-for-error games.
NationPress
17 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the APL match between Barpeta Braves and Nagaon Rangers on 16 August?
Barpeta Braves won by 14 runs via the VJD Method at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium in Guwahati on 16 August. Rain interrupted the chase with Barpeta on 109/1 in 16 overs, and the VJD calculation gave them the victory.
What is the VJD Method used in this APL match?
The VJD (V. Jayadevan) Method is a rain-rule calculation system used in Indian domestic cricket as an alternative to the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method. It determines a revised target or result when weather interrupts a limited-overs match.
How did Jitu Ali perform for Nagaon Rangers?
Jitu Ali top-scored for Nagaon Rangers with an unbeaten 76 off 48 balls, hitting seven fours and three sixes. His innings was the primary reason Nagaon reached a competitive total of 133/6 in 20 overs.
Which teams have been eliminated from the APL after this match?
Nagaon Rangers, Tezpur Titans, and Jorhat Stallions have all been eliminated from contention for the next stage of the Assam Premier League following Barpeta Braves' win on 16 August.
How did Denish Das and Dihingia perform in the chase?
Captain Denish Das scored an unbeaten 46 off 32 balls at a strike rate of 143.75, including three fours and a six. Saurav Mousum Dihingia contributed an unbeaten 40 off 46 balls with four boundaries, and the pair put on an unbroken partnership after Hrishikesh Das fell for 21 in the sixth over.
