In a historic display of dominance at the SNR College Ground in Coimbatore, Kichcha Sudeep led the Karnataka Bulldozers to their third Celebrity Cricket League (CCL) title on February 1, 2026. Defeating the Bengal Tigers by 6 wickets, the Bulldozers finally ended a 12-year championship drought with a clinical performance. Sudeep’s leadership was the talk of the tournament, blending tactical genius with a calm, veteran presence.
Karnataka Bulldozers’ captain Kichcha Sudeep mimics Rohit Sharma’s trophy swagger
The highlight of the post-match ceremony was undoubtedly Sudeep’s tribute to Indian captain Rohit Sharma’s legendary 2024 T20 World Cup celebration. As Sudeep was called to collect the CCL 2026 trophy, he broke into a hilarious yet perfectly executed ‘robotic strut,’ mimicking Rohit’s famous slow-motion, high-knee walk toward the podium.
The crowd erupted as Sudeep channeled the ‘Hitman’s’ swagger, moving with deliberate, stiff-legged steps that captured the essence of the viral Barbadian moment. This light-hearted gesture showed Sudeep’s deep admiration for Indian cricket history while keeping the mood electric and celebratory. Upon reaching the silverware, he didn’t just lift it; he gave it a gentle pat before hoisted it high, surrounded by his teammates who joined in the laughter.
The ‘Boss’ of Sandalwood proved he is not just a leader on the field but also a master entertainer who knows exactly how to make a victory legendary. This robotic walk has already become the most shared clip of the tournament, trending across social media as the ultimate crossover between Sandalwood and Indian cricket lore. It was a moment of pure, unadulterated joy that symbolized the relief of finally bringing the cup back to Karnataka.
Here’s the video:
2013 🏆 2014 🏆👉 2026🏆
We are champions #CCL2026 #CCL2026Final #Karnatakabulldozers #Karnataka #Celebrities #CelebrityCricketLeague #Kichcha #Sudeepa pic.twitter.com/71KjpoBT4u— ಸುದೀಪ್ (@ae_sudeep) February 1, 2026
CCL 2025-26: Karnataka Bulldozers dismantle Bengal Tigers in one-sided grand finale
The final match was a masterclass in strategy as the Bulldozers completely outplayed the Tigers from the first ball. After winning the toss and electing to field, Sudeep’s bowlers stifled the Bengal batters, restricting them to a modest total of 129 runs. The Tigers’ batting lineup, which had been prolific all season, crumbled under the pressure of the big stage, losing five wickets for just five runs during a mid-innings collapse.
Chasing 130, the Bulldozers’ opener Rajeev Hanu played a knock for the ages, smashing a blistering 69 off just 35 deliveries to set a solid foundation. Even when Bengal’s bowlers managed a few quick wickets to cause a brief ‘wobble,’ the result never truly looked in doubt. Karthik Jayaram and Manjunath showed immense composure in the middle order, rotating the strike and finding the boundaries with surgical precision.
They reached the target with nearly three overs to spare, sparking wild celebrations on the pitch as the winning boundary was struck. This victory marks a significant milestone for the franchise, being their first title win since 2014 and solidifying their status as a CCL powerhouse. The Tigers, while valiant runners-up, simply had no answer for the clinical execution and ‘Rohit-esque’ tactical changes implemented by Sudeep.
Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches: Here’s the complete schedule
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