Chota Nagpur Royals win inaugural Jharkhand T20 League title
Synopsis
In a final that swung wildly before the Royals took control, a 110-run third-wicket stand between Kumar Kushagra (78* off 39) and Himanshu Dwivedi (51 off 33) dismantled the Jamshedpur Steelers' hopes and handed Chota Nagpur Royals the inaugural Jharkhand T20 League title with 16 balls to spare.
Key Takeaways
Chota Nagpur Royals defeated Jamshedpur Steelers by seven wickets to win the inaugural Jharkhand T20 Cricket League on 24 June .
Jamshedpur Steelers posted 180/8 in 20 overs, rescued by Harsh Rana's stunning 64 off 26 balls .
The Royals chased 181 in just 17.2 overs , finishing at 184/3 .
A 110-run third-wicket partnership between Kumar Kushagra (78* off 39) and Himanshu Dwivedi (51 off 33) decided the match.
Aman Kumar Singh (2-24) was the Steelers' best bowler, but could not prevent the Royals' triumph.
Chota Nagpur Royals were crowned the first-ever champions of the Jharkhand T20 Cricket League on 24 June, defeating the Jamshedpur Steelers by seven wickets in front of a packed crowd at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi. Chasing 181, the Royals cantered home in just 17.2 overs, finishing at 184/3 to seal a dominant championship victory.
Steelers Set a Fighting Total
Batting first, the Jamshedpur Steelers posted 180/8 in their allotted 20 overs. Opener Kumar Karan (28) and skipper Kumar Deobrat (39) laid the foundation with a 32-run opening stand, before Karan's dismissal triggered a middle-order collapse that left the Steelers reeling at 90/5 in 11.5 overs.
The innings was rescued almost single-handedly by Harsh Rana, who played a breathtaking counter-attacking knock of 64 off just 26 deliveries. Rana's assault shifted the momentum entirely, lifting the Steelers to a total that looked competitive on the surface.
Collective Bowling Effort from the Royals
The Royals' bowling attack was a model of shared responsibility. Durgesh Kumar (1-15), Suprieyo Chakraborty (1-19), Chandan Kumar Mukhi (1-23), Vikash Singh (1-37), and Rahul Rajak (1-62) each claimed one wicket, ensuring no single Steelers batter beyond Rana could dominate.
Kushagra and Dwivedi Seal the Chase
The Royals' chase began on a nervy note when star skipper Virat Singh was dismissed for just 1 run. MD Nazim Siddiqui steadied the innings with a brisk 38 off 24 balls, before the match was decisively settled by a third-wicket partnership between Kumar Kushagra and Himanshu Dwivedi.
The duo put on an unbroken 110-run stand that completely wrested control from the Steelers. Dwivedi played the anchor role to perfection, bringing up a composed 51 off 33 balls, while Kushagra was relentless throughout, finishing unbeaten on 78 off 39 deliveries. The Royals crossed the line with 16 balls to spare.
For the Steelers, Aman Kumar Singh (2-24) and Anurag Singh Sengar (1-3) were the pick of the bowlers, but their efforts could not contain the Royals' batting firepower.
Historic Win for Jharkhand Cricket
The victory marks a landmark moment for cricket in the state, with the inaugural edition of the Jharkhand T20 Cricket League delivering a high-quality final that showcased local talent on a competitive stage. The Chota Nagpur Royals' triumph will be remembered as a defining chapter in Jharkhand's domestic cricket history. All eyes will now turn to the next edition to see whether the Royals can defend their crown.
Point of View
But the Royals' response exposed a structural gap in the Steelers' bowling depth. More significant is what the league itself signals: Jharkhand, long a talent-exporting state for Indian cricket, now has a domestic franchise competition to retain and showcase that talent. Whether the administration can sustain quality across editions will determine if this becomes a genuine feeder for national cricket or remains a one-season spectacle.
NationPress
24 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the inaugural Jharkhand T20 Cricket League?
Chota Nagpur Royals won the inaugural Jharkhand T20 Cricket League, defeating Jamshedpur Steelers by seven wickets on 24 June at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi. They chased down 181 in 17.2 overs, finishing at 184/3.
Who were the standout performers in the Jharkhand T20 League final?
Kumar Kushagra top-scored for the Royals with an unbeaten 78 off 39 deliveries, while Himanshu Dwivedi contributed 51 off 33 in their match-winning 110-run partnership. For the Steelers, Harsh Rana's 64 off 26 balls was the standout knock.
What total did Jamshedpur Steelers post in the final?
Jamshedpur Steelers posted 180/8 in their allotted 20 overs. After slipping to 90/5 in 11.5 overs, Harsh Rana's counter-attacking 64 off 26 balls rescued them to a competitive total.
How did the Chota Nagpur Royals chase down the target?
After losing skipper Virat Singh for 1, MD Nazim Siddiqui provided early momentum with 38 off 24 balls. Kumar Kushagra and Himanshu Dwivedi then added 110 runs for the third wicket to seal the chase with 16 balls to spare.
Where was the Jharkhand T20 League final played?
The final was played at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi, Jharkhand, on 24 June, in front of a capacity crowd.
