New Delhi, August 31: South Delhi Superstarz produced a clinical batting effort to defeat Central Delhi Kings by seven wickets in the final of the Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2026 on Sunday, lifting the coveted trophy at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Chasing a competitive target of 183, South Delhi reached 186/3 in 18.2 overs. Anmol Sharma set the tone with a fluent 64 off 42 balls before Ankit Dabas delivered a sensational unbeaten match-winning knock of 61 off 33 balls. Skipper Tejasvi Dahiya added late fireworks with a rapid 18-ball 33, leaving Ekansh Dobal to seal the championship with a towering six.
Reflecting on his match-winning innings in the final, Player of the Match Ankit Dabas broke down his mindset during the high-pressure chase.
“When I went in to bat, my priority was assessing what the team required. If an early wicket falls, my job is to provide stability and keep one end secure. But once I realized how good the pitch was and saw scoring opportunities, I shifted gears and played my shots. I was confident we could pull off the win,” Dabas shared after the match.
Dabas paid rich tributes to skipper Tejasvi Dahiya, highlighting how his high-level experience shaped the team’s championship run.
“Tejasvi led the side exceptionally well his bowling rotations and tactical changes at key moments were spot on. Having played in the IPL last year, he brought invaluable experience and maturity into our dressing room. Even when conditions turned tricky and the ball started spinning, he finished the game in a flash. He is truly one of the best in this league,” he said.
He also applauded the young talents in the squad, specifically pointing out fast bowler Anshuman Hooda.
“I am thrilled with how our youngsters stepped up. We backed each other completely throughout the season. Anshuman Hooda, for instance, has been fantastic—he is one of the fastest and finest bowlers in our setup and made crucial contributions to this title,” Dabas noted.
Highlighting the rise of franchise tournaments across the country, Dabas emphasized how leagues like the DPL serve as vital feeder systems for the top tier.
“State leagues are creating healthy competition in Indian cricket. They all feed into the same national pathway. People often call these state leagues the ‘second IPL,’ which shows their growing stature and importance. Winning a tournament like this requires a collective team effort different players put their hands up in different games,” he explained.
Addressing South Delhi’s comeback journey to claim the crown, Dabas reflected on the squad’s resilience.
“Last year, we had a slow start but managed to qualify. This season as well, we dropped two or three early games and suffered setbacks. But once we found our rhythm and built momentum, we became unstoppable. The balance in our squad has been our biggest strength.”
Earlier in the day, Central Delhi Kings posted 182/8, built on half-century contributions from Samarth Singh (51 off 27) and captain Jonty Sidhu’s brisk 36 off 19. South Delhi Superstarz’s attack, led by Divansh Rawat’s brilliant spell of 3/17 and Vision Panchal’s two wickets, successfully contained the Kings late in their innings to set up the decisive run-chase.
