Delhi, August 31 2025

The West Delhi Lions roared to glory on Sunday, lifting the Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2025 trophy with a commanding six-wicket win over the Central Delhi Kings in a high-octane final at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Skipper Nitish Rana delivered a captain’s knock, remaining unbeaten on 79, to script a memorable triumph.

Rana the Architect of Victory

Chasing 174, the Lions were under early pressure as Kings’ pacers Simarjeet Singh and Arun Pundir struck in quick succession, reducing the side to 48/3 inside five overs. But Rana, true to his reputation, held his nerve.

He first stitched a 42-run partnership with Mayank Gusain (15) to steady the innings before forging a match-winning, unbroken stand with Hrithik Shokeen. Shokeen played a composed hand of 42 off 27*, while Rana unleashed a mix of grit and flair to guide his team home in 18.5 overs.

Kings’ Lower-Order Fightback

Earlier, put in to bat, the Central Delhi Kings endured a top-order collapse, slipping to 78/6 as the Lions’ bowlers dominated the powerplay and middle overs. Just when the Kings looked down and out, Yugal Saini (65 off 48) and Pranshu Vijayran (50 off 24)* staged a brilliant counterattack. Their 78-run partnership for the seventh wicket propelled the Kings to a competitive 173/7.

Lions’ Bowlers Set the Tone

For the champions, the bowling unit was spot on yet again. Manan Bhardwaj (2/11 in 3 overs) and Shivank Vashisht (2/12 in 2 overs) delivered crucial breakthroughs, while skipper Rana himself contributed with a miserly spell of 1/16 in 4 overs, showcasing his all-round value.

A Campaign to Remember

With this clinical victory, the West Delhi Lions completed their campaign in style, sealing their place in history as the DPL 2025 champions. From their consistent bowling displays to Rana’s inspirational leadership and big-match temperament, the Lions proved to be the most complete side of the tournament.

As the Arun Jaitley Stadium echoed with the roars of victory, it marked not just a title win but the arrival of the Lions as the undisputed kings of Delhi cricket.