Jharkhand T20 League 2026: Chota Nagpur Royals reach semi-finals with 85-run rout
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The Jharkhand T20 Cricket League 2026 league stage concluded on 22 June at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi, with the Chota Nagpur Royals securing the final semi-final berth by demolishing the Jamshedpur Steelers, while the Santhal Strikers signed off from the league phase in style, routing the Dhanbad Diamonds with 9 wickets and 49 balls to spare.
Virat Singh's Century Powers Royals to 211/4
Batting first in the afternoon fixture, the Chota Nagpur Royals put up a commanding 211/4 in 20 overs, anchored by Player of the Match Virat Singh's breathtaking unbeaten century — 106* off 58 balls. Opener MD Nazim Siddiqui set the tone alongside him, blazing 54 off 32 balls as the pair forged an 88-run opening stand that put the Steelers on the back foot from the outset.
After Siddiqui's dismissal, Shresth Sagar contributed a handy 25 off 20 balls to sustain the scoring rate. For the Jamshedpur Steelers, Harsh Rana (1/29), Aman Kumar Singh (1/30), Pranjal Kumar (1/36), and Pratik Ranjan (1/50) each claimed a wicket, but the bowling unit had no answer to Singh's assault.
Steelers Collapse to 126 All Out
Chasing 212, the Jamshedpur Steelers were bowled out for 126 in 19.1 overs, losing by 85 runs. A catastrophic top-order collapse reduced them to 6 wickets down for just 38 runs, effectively ending the contest inside the first eight overs.
Harsh Rana offered the only resistance with a fighting 46 off 35 balls, while Shakti Singh contributed a gritty 22 off 34 balls lower down the order to push the total to a more respectable figure. The Royals' attack was relentless — Rahul Rajak was the standout performer with a devastating 3/11 in 2 overs, while Deepanshu Rawat provided excellent support with 2/25 from 4 overs.
Sanjeet Sharma and Anmol Raj Dismantle Dhanbad Diamonds
In the evening match, the Dhanbad Diamonds were bowled out for a meagre 106 in 18.1 overs against the Santhal Strikers. Ram Raushan top-scored with 32 off 20 balls, and Vikash Kumar Vishal made a quickfire 26 off 17 balls, but no other batter offered meaningful resistance.
Player of the Match Sanjeet Sharma was the chief destroyer, finishing with a remarkable 4/10, while Anmol Raj was equally devastating with 4/20. The two bowlers shared 8 wickets between them and effectively decided the contest inside the first innings.
Strikers Cruise Home in 11.5 Overs
The Santhal Strikers cantered to 107/1 in 11.5 overs, winning by 9 wickets with 49 balls to spare. Kumar Suraj led the chase with an unbeaten 53* off 34 balls, ably supported by Vibhor Pandey's 32 off 27 balls. Vivekanand Tiwari (1/28) was the solitary wicket-taker for the Diamonds on a difficult evening.
Semi-Final Line-Up at JSCA on Monday
With the league stage complete, the Jharkhand T20 League 2026 knockouts begin on Monday at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi. The first semi-final pits the Jamshedpur Steelers against table-toppers Koylanchal Super Kings, followed by the second semi-final between the Chota Nagpur Royals and the Ranchi Titans. Both ties promise high-stakes cricket as the tournament enters its decisive phase.