APL 2026: Denish Das' 72* fires Barpeta Braves to 70-run win over Nagaon
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Barpeta Braves captain Denish Das led from the front with a match-winning 72 not out off 45 balls as his side crushed Nagaon Rangers by 70 runs in the Assam Premier League (APL) 2026 at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium in Guwahati on Friday, 7 August. Defending a total of 170, the Braves bowled Nagaon Rangers out for a meagre 100 in 18.2 overs to seal a comprehensive all-round victory.
Braves Build a Commanding Total
Put in to bat first, Barpeta Braves were given a solid foundation by Kabir Hassan Desmukh (25) and Saurav Mousum Dihingia (16) before Das shifted gears decisively. The skipper's unbeaten 72 off 45 deliveries, laced with four boundaries and four sixes, gave the innings its spine and momentum.
Gaurav Thakuria contributed a brisk 31 off 22 balls in the middle order, while Arun Sonar's unbeaten 13 off seven deliveries provided a sharp finish. The Braves closed their innings at 170/4 in 20 overs — a total that would prove well beyond Nagaon's reach. For the Rangers, Darshan Rajbangshi claimed 2/43 and Bhargav Dutta took 1/21.
Rangers Crumble Under Sustained Bowling Pressure
Nagaon Rangers never found a foothold in the chase. Rajesh Prasad struck early, removing both openers to leave Rangers reeling. Shubham Kumar Gupta then applied the vice, claiming 3/8 in a miserly spell that dismissed Anurag Talukdar, Sumit Kashyap, and Darshan Rajbangshi in quick succession.
Sumit Kashyap mounted a lone resistance with a fighting 44 off 34 balls, but received scant support from the lower order. SK Jnyanam chipped in with 18, yet the Rangers never threatened the target seriously.
Bikiran Das Seals the Match in Style
The final rites were performed by Bikiran Das, who ripped through the Rangers' tail to finish with a stunning 4/13. His four-wicket burst ensured Nagaon Rangers were bowled out for 100, handing Barpeta Braves a dominant 70-run win. Rajesh Prasad supported with 2/22, completing a clinical team bowling effort.
Brief Scores
Barpeta Braves: 170/4 in 20 overs (Denish Das 72*, Gaurav Thakuria 31; Darshan Rajbangshi 2/43, Bhargav Dutta 1/21)
Nagaon Rangers: 100 all out in 18.2 overs (Sumit Kashyap 44, SK Jnyanam 18; Bikiran Das 4/13, Shubham Kumar Gupta 3/8, Rajesh Prasad 2/22)
Result: Barpeta Braves beat Nagaon Rangers by 70 runs.
With this victory, Barpeta Braves have signalled their intent as a force in APL 2026, and all eyes will be on how Das and his squad build on this performance in the rounds ahead.