How Did Arshad Khan and Aniket Verma Lead Bhopal Leopards to a Last-Ball Victory in MPL 2025?

Gwalior (M.P.), June 25 (NationPress) The Madhya Pradesh League 2025 reached a thrilling conclusion on Tuesday night as the Bhopal Leopards, under the steady leadership of Arshad Khan, triumphed in a nail-biting finale, defeating the Chambal Ghariyals by just three runs to clinch their first-ever MPL title at the Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Stadium.

The final showcased an exceptional display of cricket, filled with unexpected turns, dramatic comebacks, heartbreaks, and remarkable performances, with Bhopal managing to defend a modest score of 156 against a seemingly formidable chase.

After being invited to bat first, the Bhopal Leopards set a target of 156 runs in 19.2 overs, a total that appeared insufficient given the pitch conditions which had consistently favored scores exceeding 200 throughout the tournament.

Despite a shaky start for their top order, the team regained composure through a determined partnership between Gautam Raghuwanshi (48 off 28) and Aniket Verma (40 off 24). Kamal Tripathi contributed a crucial innings of 24 off 16, yet Bhopal was unable to maximize the final overs and were dismissed with four balls remaining.

For the Chambal Ghariyals, the wickets were evenly shared, with Aman Bhadoriya, Tripuresh Singh, and Nayanraj Mewada each taking two wickets to keep Bhopal in check.

Chambal’s chase began disastrously as Bhopal’s bowlers came out aggressively, reducing them to 22/4 during the powerplay. Just when it seemed like the match would end quickly, skipper Shubham Sharma and Tripuresh Singh engineered a stunning 72-run partnership. Tripuresh emerged as the aggressor, scoring 53 off 28, while Shubham stabilized the innings with a composed 51 off 45.

With 21 runs needed from the last 12 balls and both established batters at the crease, it appeared the title was within Chambal’s grasp.

Bhopal's captain, Arshad Khan, stepped up to bowl the crucial 19th over. The first delivery was hit for six by Shubham, who reached his fifty, narrowing the requirement to 15 runs off 11 balls. However, the turning point arrived when Aniket Verma executed a spectacular relay catch at the boundary to dismiss Shubham. The over concluded with just 8 runs given away and a vital wicket taken, leaving Roshan Kewat to defend 13 runs in the final over.

Despite the escalating pressure, Roshan remained remarkably composed. After a four by Tripuresh and a boundary from Aman Bhadoriya made it 4 runs needed off 2 balls, Tripuresh was run out on the penultimate delivery. With 4 runs required from the final ball, Roshan only conceded a single, securing a thrilling three-run victory for the Bhopal Leopards.

In the aftermath, Arshad, who led both as captain and bowler, reflected on the significance of the win, stating, “Last year, we let it slip at the end. This time, we defended 156 runs when the average was 200+, and we accepted that challenge. What mattered was how the players rose to the occasion from the start to the finish. That catch from Aniket, Roshan’s composed final over, these moments embody champions.”

On his pivotal 19th over, he remarked, “I attempted a yorker on the first ball and missed. After that, I decided to focus on my cutters and aimed for execution. That relay catch from Aniket made everything possible.”

He also discussed how his experience in the IPL honed his ability to handle pressure, saying, “The IPL is a different level, yes, but pressure is pressure, whether in the IPL or in consecutive knockout matches. Discipline and control are essential for victory, and the team demonstrated that.”

Roshan Kewat, the calm finisher, held his ground under intense pressure. Post-match, he shared, “Arshad bhai instructed me to remain calm. He guided me through each ball, which boosted my confidence.”

Abhishek Gupta, the owner of Bhopal Leopards, expressed his emotions upon winning the trophy, stating, “This victory means everything to us. After coming so close last season, the entire team, including players and support staff, had a singular goal this year: to go one step further and win the title. The way our boys maintained their nerve under pressure, especially in the final overs, reflects the character we’ve cultivated as a unit. This win is a culmination of months of hard work and belief, and I couldn’t be prouder.”

For the Chambal Ghariyals, it was the second heartbreak within a few hours, as their women’s team also finished as runners-up in the MP Women’s League final. Despite their loss, their campaign in their inaugural MPL season was characterized by promise, tenacity, and noteworthy performances.

Divyaraj Singh Kirar, owner of the Chambal Ghariyals and Director of Devraj Hospital, conveyed his pride in the team's efforts, stating, “While the loss is painful, I am immensely proud of what Chambal Ghariyals has accomplished in our first MPL season. Reaching both finals, men’s and women’s, speaks volumes about the systems and culture we’ve aimed to establish from day one. The fight we displayed in the final exemplifies our team spirit. We will return stronger; this is merely the beginning for us.”

For the Bhopal Leopards, this victory transcended just one final; it was about correcting the mistakes from last season, where they narrowly missed out on the title.