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The Delhi Premier League 2025 came to a dramatic close at the Arun Jaitley Stadium with the grand finale between West Delhi Lions and Central Delhi Kings. Both teams entered the contest riding on strong performances throughout the season, setting the stage for a high-intensity clash. Eventually, it was Nitish Rana‘s Lions that emerged victorious with convincing 6-wicket win over the Kings. Rana was also named Player of the Match for his outstanding all-round performance in the final.
Central Delhi Kings’ middle-order revival rescues innings
The Kings, asked to bat first, found themselves in serious trouble at 78/6 after a fiery spell of disciplined bowling. West Delhi’s attack, led by Manan Bhardwaj and Shivank Vashisht, applied relentless pressure and struck at regular intervals. Just when it looked like the Kings would fold for a modest total, Yugal Saini and Pranshu Vijayran joined hands for a crucial 78-run partnership. Saini’s counter-attacking 65 brought the innings back to life, while Vijayran’s composed unbeaten 50 ensured the scoreboard kept ticking. Their effort lifted the Kings to a respectable 173/7, a score that looked competitive given the pressure of a final.
Nitish Rana anchors West Delhi Lions’ steady chase
The reply from West Delhi Lions was orchestrated to perfection by their captain Rana. Coming in early, Rana took charge of the chase with calm assurance, balancing aggression with composure. Despite losing a couple of wickets in the middle overs, the Lions never allowed the required rate to spiral out of control. Rana’s shot selection was clinical, and his ability to find boundaries at key moments kept the opposition on the back foot. His unbeaten 79 off just 49 deliveries not only showcased his leadership but also cemented his reputation as the tournament’s most reliable performer. The chase was wrapped up with 12 balls to spare, leaving no doubt about the Lions’ supremacy. Hrithik Shokeen completed the chase with a score and scored 42 runs and played a crucial role alongside Rana in the victory.
West Delhi Lions lifted the Delhi Premier League 2025 trophy 🏆✨#DelhiPremierLeague #WestDelhi #NitishRana #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/dZal2uXuGY
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) September 1, 2025
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A season of dominance for Nitish Rana capped with glory
This triumph was the perfect conclusion to a season that had already seen Rana dominate with the bat. Having scored a match-winning 134 not out in the Eliminator and an unbeaten 45 in Qualifier 2, he once again rose to the occasion on the biggest night of the competition. His aggregate of 393 runs at an average of 65.50 and a blistering strike rate of 181.94 underlines the impact he had on West Delhi’s campaign. The final also highlighted the strength of the Lions’ bowling attack, which consistently delivered breakthroughs when it mattered most. For the Kings, the defeat was heartbreaking, but their spirited fight and middle-order grit earned respect. Ultimately, the night belonged to West Delhi Lions, who emerged as deserving champions of the DPL 2025.
Captain Nitish Rana last 3 knocks in the Delhi Premier League 2025 🔥
134* vs South Delhi Superstarz (Eliminator)
45* vs East Delhi Riders (Qualifier 2)
79* vs Central Delhi Kings (Final)#NitishRana #DPL2025 #WestDelhiLions #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/jK8l8QjdKR— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) September 1, 2025
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