APL 2026: Dibrugarh Warriors chase down 121 to beat Charaideo Sunrisers by 5 wickets
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Dibrugarh Warriors staged a remarkable recovery from a top-order collapse to clinch a five-wicket victory over Charaideo Sunrisers in Match 8 of the Assam Premier League (APL) 2026 at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday, 5 August. Chasing 121, the Warriors were in deep trouble at 3 for 3 before composing themselves to seal the contest with 13 balls to spare, finishing at 121/5 in 17.5 overs.
Sunrisers Restricted to 120
Dibrugarh Warriors elected to field first and made an immediate impact through Doikho Das, who removed openers Pradyun Saikia and Kirti Azad in quick succession before also dismissing Reshabh Dipak, leaving Charaideo Sunrisers in early disarray.
Hrishikesh Tamuli (22) and skipper Sumit Ghadigaonkar (17) attempted a repair job, but wickets fell at regular intervals. The lone resistance of note came from Soumya Kanti Paul, who launched a counter-attacking 46 off just 29 balls, laced with three fours and three sixes, to lift Charaideo to a modest 120 all out in 19.1 overs. Doikho Das was the pick of the bowlers with 4/33, ably supported by Roshan Alam's excellent 3/16.
Warriors' Top Order Collapse
The chase began disastrously for Dibrugarh Warriors as Ronit Akhtar, Parvej Musaraf, and Diwiz Pathak were all back in the pavilion with only 3 runs on the board. It was a collapse that threatened to derail the chase entirely, given the pressure a young lineup can feel in such situations.
Agarwal and Biswas Rescue the Chase
Ayush Agarwal provided the anchor the Warriors desperately needed, compiling a patient 45 off 44 balls. He was joined by Rituraj Biswas, and the pair stitched together a crucial 88-run partnership that swung the contest decisively in Dibrugarh's favour. Biswas matched his partner's contribution almost ball-for-ball with 45 off 44 deliveries, keeping the required rate well within reach.
The Sunrisers fought back through Mayukh Hazarika (2/19) and Reshabh Dipak in the closing overs, but captain Saahil Jain finished the job with an unbeaten 18 off 8 balls, supported by Sidhartha Sankar Baruah's unbeaten 8, as Dibrugarh crossed the line at 121/5 in 17.5 overs.
Brief Scores
Charaideo Sunrisers: 120 all out in 19.1 overs — Soumya Kanti Paul 46, Hrishikesh Tamuli 22; Doikho Das 4/33, Roshan Alam 3/16, Jitumoni Kalita 1/15.
Dibrugarh Warriors: 121/5 in 17.5 overs — Ayush Agarwal 45, Rituraj Biswas 45, Saahil Jain 18*; Dibakar Johori 2/30, Mayukh Hazarika 2/19.
The win moves Dibrugarh Warriors up the APL 2026 standings and underscores the value of middle-order resilience in T20 cricket. How the team manages pressure starts will be the defining question as the tournament progresses.