Rinku scored an unbeaten 106 off only 60 balls, delivering a spectacular final flourish, while Aryan Juyal anchored the innings with a stylish 134 from 118 balls. Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel contributed significantly with a smooth 67 off 57 balls, leading Uttar Pradesh to a formidable total of 367 for four, a score Chandigarh struggled to approach.
The bowlers then took charge, ensuring a one-sided affair. Leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari (4/29) once again excelled, achieving his second consecutive four-wicket haul of the tournament as Chandigarh was dismissed for just 140 in 29.3 overs.
Need a ???????????????????????????????? finish? ???? Rinku Singh ???? pic.twitter.com/xGUuBR67CX
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) December 26, 2025
Spinners Vipraj Nigam (2/35) and Prashant Veer (1/11) offered solid support as Uttar Pradesh executed a thorough all-round display.
Following the early loss of opener Abhishek Goswami in the third over, Juyal and Jurel stabilized the innings with a well-crafted 96-run partnership for the second wicket, establishing a strong foundation.
Juyal balanced his innings meticulously while also smashing eight sixes and seven fours.
Batting at No. 5, Rinku, who previously scored a half-century, delivered a late-game surge, hitting 10 fours and four sixes.
He first collaborated with Juyal before teaming up with Chennai Super Kings’ latest recruit Prashant Veer, as the pair added 63 runs in just 35 balls, propelling Uttar Pradesh well beyond the 350 mark. This performance is promising for India, as he has been appointed the designated finisher in the T20 squad.
Limbani picks fifer as Baroda beat Bengal
Medium pacer Raj Limbani claimed five wickets as Baroda triumphed over Bengal by four wickets in their Group B fixture.
Limbani effectively utilized Baroda’s decision to bowl first, dismantling the Bengal batting lineup to take out half their players. His victims included skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran, top scorer Anustup Majumdar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Akash Deep, and Mohammed Shami, resulting in Bengal being bowled out for 205 in 38.3 overs.
Skipper Krunal Pandya (3/39) provided excellent support, taking three wickets.
In their chase of a modest target, Baroda looked unperturbed. Shashwat Rawat (61), Priyanshu Moliya (52), and Pandya (57) all scored half-centuries, steering their team to a comfortable win with more than 11 overs to spare.
In other Group B encounters, a century by Yawer Hassan (138) and a five-wicket haul by spinner Murugan Ashwin (5/34) propelled Jammu and Kashmir to a commanding 142-run win over Assam.
Meanwhile, Vidarbha celebrated their first victory of the season with a resounding 89-run win against Hyderabad.
Brief Scores: Uttar Pradesh 367 for 4 in 50 overs (Aryan Juyal 134, Rinku Singh 106 not out; Taranpreet Sigh 2/74) defeated Chandigarh 140 all out in 29.3 overs (Manan Vohra 32; Zeeshan Ansar 4/29) by 227 runs.
Bengal 205 all out in 38.3 overs (Anustup Majumdar 47, Karan Lal 40; Raj Limbai 5/65) lost to Baroda 209 for 6 in 38.5 overs (Shashwat Rawat 61, Krunal Pandya 57, Aamir Gani 2/33) by 4 wickets.
Jammu and Kashmir 341 for 7 in 50 overs (Yawer Hassan 138; Denish Das 2/46) defeated Assam 199 all out in 36.1 overs (Sumit Ghadigaonkar 53; Murugan Ashwin 5/34) by 142 runs.
Vidarbha 365 for 5 in 50 overs (Dhruv Shorey 109 not out; Kartikeya Kak 3/87) defeated Hyderabad 279 all out in 49.2 overs (Aelgani Varun Goud 85; Harsh Dubey 3/39) by 89 runs.
(With PTI inputs)
First Published: Dec 26, 2025 6:26 PM IST
