ISPL 2025: Majhi Mumbai Crowned Champions as Season 2 Concludes with a Bang

Thane, Feb 16 (NationPress) Majhi Mumbai ultimately secured the championship title after narrowly defeating Srinagar Ke Veer by three wickets in a thrilling final as the second season of the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) concluded in style at the packed Dadoji Kondadev Stadium on Saturday. The tournament indeed fulfilled its promise of an exhilarating display of cricketing excellence, with Majhi Mumbai rising as the champion.

The audience witnessed an electrifying match that kept everyone on the edge of their seats, with the momentum shifting back and forth, before Mumbai, who were the runners-up in the first ISPL season, clinched victory with a massive six from Ankur. Each six hit, every wicket taken, and every dive on the field resonated with the spirit of countless players who grew up playing with a tennis ball. Merging the youthful exuberance of emerging talents and the strategic prowess of seasoned veterans, the 20-day tournament was an extraordinary blend of heart-stopping matches and mesmerizing musical acts.

Under the endorsement of the legendary Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar, a member of the ISPL core committee, the tournament has flourished, giving a platform to aspiring players who once played in the streets, demonstrating that talent knows no bounds. Tendulkar, alongside other core committee members including Ashish Shelar, Suraj Samat, and Minal Amol Kale, attended the final, joined by Bollywood legends Amitabh Bachchan and Akshay Kumar, who own the ISPL and were present to support the finalists, Majhi Mumbai and Srinagar Ke Veer.

After winning the toss, Mumbai chose to field, with Bachchan and Kumar participating in a light-hearted Tip-Toe to select their dugouts, while Tendulkar took on the role of umpire. Mr. Bachchan also engaged in the Mumbai team huddle, while Akshay was seen inspiring his players in the Srinagar dugout.

Srinagar, batting first, benefited from a stellar performance by the opening duo, Sagar Ali and Akash Tarekar, who formed the highest first-wicket partnership of 108 runs before losing five wickets for just 12 runs, ultimately scoring 120/5 — the highest total in an ISPL final.

Akash, who had been inconsistent throughout the tournament, saved his best for the final, scoring an unbeaten 59 off 32 balls, featuring three boundaries and five towering sixes. Sagar initiated the scoring with a six in the first over, and Akash soon took charge, surpassing his partner's score.

Sagar was dismissed in the penultimate over, having scored 40 runs off 23 balls, including four massive sixes, while the other batters fell victim to ambitious shots. For Mumbai, Abhishek Kumar Dalhor, the season's leading wicket-taker, added two more to his tally, bringing it to 24.

In response, captain Vijay Pawle spearheaded Majhi Mumbai’s fightback after the team encountered early losses, playing a pivotal role alongside Birendra, with the pair accumulating 39 runs off the 50-50 Challenge Over to shift the game's momentum.

Mumbai started off well, scoring 25 runs during the powerplay, but soon found themselves struggling at 64 for 6. However, Pawle's entrance transformed the game, as the captain struck an unbeaten 22 runs off just 9 balls, highlighted by three sixes, while Birendra contributed 14 runs off 6 balls, which included two massive sixes. With Mumbai needing six runs from the final over, Ankur missed the first two balls before belting the third delivery high into the sky to secure the championship.

This season of the ISPL transcended mere cricket; it was about making dreams a reality, proving that the next cricketing sensation could arise from anywhere. The tournament not only spotlighted tennis ball cricketers but also offered financial security — with Abhishek Kumar Dalhor, Mumbai’s star all-rounder, being the season's most expensive player, fetched for an astounding Rs 20.50 lakh.