CCL 2025: Chennai Rhinos secure first win against the Telugu Warriors, keep playoff hopes alive

Chennai Rhinos finally broke their losing streak in Season 11 of the Celebrity Cricket League (CCL) with a crucial victory against the Telugu Warriors in Match 8. After two consecutive defeats, the Rhinos bounced back strong, defeating the Warriors on their home turf and keeping their semi-final hopes alive.

A Tough Day for the Warriors

Fresh from their win against the Bhojpuri Dabanggs, the Telugu Warriors were looking to continue their momentum. Skipper Akhil had the support of his brother, actor Naga Chaitanya, in the dugout, hoping to see a stellar performance. However, it was not Akhil’s day, as he struggled with the bat and failed to anchor the chase. The Warriors ultimately fell short of their 115-run target, handing the Rhinos their much-needed first win of the tournament.

Rhinos’ Strong Start with the Bat

Winning the toss, Chennai Rhinos’ captain Vikranth opted to bat first. The decision seemed shaky at the start, with the team losing two wickets in the very first over. However, Vikranth led the recovery, first building a partnership with Ajay Rohan and then with Dasarathi. The latter’s explosive 35 off just 14 balls provided the much-needed boost, while Vikranth remained unbeaten with a well-made 61. The Rhinos finished their first innings at 125/3 in 10 overs, setting a competitive target.

Warriors’ Struggles in the Chase

Telugu Warriors had a similar rocky start, losing both Akhil and Aadarsh in the first over. Ashwin and Sachin attempted to stabilize the innings, but Sharan’s brilliant bowling saw Ashwin dismissed, giving him his third wicket of the match. Sachin Joshi, though he managed to escape Sharan’s spell initially, fell after scoring just 18. The lone warrior for the team was Roshan, who played an outstanding knock of 73 off 33 balls. However, with little support from the other end, the Warriors fell short, finishing at 106/6—19 runs shy of the target.

Chennai Rhinos’ Second Innings Collapse

With a narrow lead going into their second innings, the Rhinos got off to a steady start with openers Prithvi and Ajay. However, a costly run-out at 47 triggered a collapse, with the team losing five wickets in quick succession between 78 and 82 runs. They eventually wrapped up at 87, unable to capitalize on their early advantage. The innings was also marred by a long stoppage when the Rhinos raised an objection about an extra fielder on the ground, but the review did not impact the game’s outcome.

Final Chase and Tournament Standings

Needing 115 to win, the Warriors once again struggled with their batting lineup. Their top order crumbled, forcing Akhil to take charge. Despite his best efforts, his top score of 27, along with Sachin’s identical contribution, wasn’t enough to secure a win. Running out of steam, the Warriors fell short, giving the Rhinos a much-needed breakthrough victory.

With this win, Chennai Rhinos join Telugu Warriors and Bhojpuri Dabanggs at two points each. The fate of these teams now depends on the final group stage matches and net run rate calculations, which will determine who advances to the semi-finals on March 1.