Majhi Mumbai secured their maiden Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) title with a tense three-wicket victory over Srinagar Ke Veer in the Season 2 final at a packed Dadoji Kondadev Stadium on Saturday.
The contest went down to the wire, with Mumbai, last season’s runners-up, finally sealing the win courtesy of a massive six from Ankur in the final over.
The grand finale brought the curtain down on an electrifying 20-day tournament that blended high-octane cricket with captivating musical performances.
Fans were treated to a thrilling spectacle, where every boundary, wicket and diving effort embodied the spirit of street cricket, played with a tennis ball in gullies and maidans.
Backed by cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar, a core member of the ISPL committee, the tournament has grown significantly in stature, providing a platform for aspiring cricketers who once played on the streets to shine on a grand stage.
The final was graced by Tendulkar, along with ISPL committee members Ashish Shelar, Suraj Samat and Minal Amol Kale. Bollywood icons Amitabh Bachchan and Akshay Kumar, owners of the two finalist teams, were also present, adding glamour to the occasion.
Before the action began, Mumbai won the toss and opted to field. Bachchan and Kumar participated in a light-hearted “Tip-Toe” challenge to determine their respective dugouts, with Tendulkar taking on the umpire’s role.
Bachchan joined the Mumbai team huddle, while Kumar was seen offering words of motivation to his players in the Srinagar camp.
Batting first, Srinagar Ke Veer made a strong start as openers Sagar Ali and Akash Tarekar stitched together a record 108-run partnership, the highest for the first wicket in an ISPL final.
However, a dramatic collapse followed, with the team losing five wickets for just 12 runs, eventually posting 120 for 5 – the highest total in an ISPL title clash.
Akash, who had struggled for consistency throughout the tournament, rose to the occasion, smashing an unbeaten 59 off 32 deliveries, featuring three boundaries and five towering sixes.
His partner Sagar was equally aggressive, scoring 40 off 23 balls, including four sixes. However, after his dismissal in the penultimate over, Srinagar’s middle order faltered under pressure.
Mumbai’s Abhishek Kumar Dalhor, the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, added two more to his tally, finishing with 24 wickets for the season. His disciplined bowling ensured Mumbai restricted Srinagar from capitalising on their explosive start.
Chasing 121, Majhi Mumbai’s innings was a rollercoaster. They got off to a solid start, scoring 25 in the powerplay, but soon found themselves in deep trouble at 64 for 6.
Skipper Vijay Pawle then led the fightback with a composed 9-ball 22, featuring three sixes. He found a reliable partner in Birendra, who struck a quickfire 14 off six deliveries, including two monstrous sixes.
The turning point came in the 50-50 Challenge Over, where Pawle and Birendra took full advantage, plundering 39 runs off Dilip Binjwa’s over to shift the momentum.
With six runs needed off the final over, Ankur missed the first two deliveries before launching the third ball into the stands, sealing the title for Mumbai in dramatic fashion.
The second season of ISPL proved to be more than just a cricket tournament – it was a celebration of talent emerging from the grassroots.
From street to stadium, the competition offered a platform for tennis ball cricketers to showcase their skills and secure financial stability.
This was exemplified by Mumbai’s all-rounder Abhishek Kumar Dalhor, who emerged as the tournament’s most expensive player, securing a contract worth Rs 20.50 lakh.
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