COIMBATORE, JAN 26– The Karnataka Bulldozers have officially secured their spot in the semi-finals of the Celebrity Cricket League (CCL) 2026 after a weekend of absolute dominance at the SNR College Cricket Stadium in Coimbatore. With two consecutive and high-stakes victories against the Telugu Warriors and the Bhojpuri Dabanggs, the Bulldozers have ascended to the top of the points table, cementing their status as the team to beat this season. The weekend began with a batting masterclass on Friday, January 23, as the Bulldozers chased down a massive target of 227 against the Telugu Warriors. Star batsman Rajeev Hanu delivered one of the greatest innings in CCL history, smashing a century off just 48 balls. Supported by Darling Krishna’s aggressive 44 and Pradeep Bogadi’s blistering 64, the Bulldozers reached the target with 16 balls to spare, winning by 9 wickets.
Continuing the momentum today, Sunday, January 25, the Bulldozers faced a gritty Bhojpuri Dabanggs side. Setting a formidable total of 202/9—driven by Rajeev Hanu’s 62 and Darling Krishna’s 53—the Bulldozers’ bowling unit held their nerve in a nail-biting final over. The defense was anchored by a disciplined death-bowling display, ultimately crushing the Dabanggs’ semi-final hopes and guaranteeing Karnataka a place in the knockouts.
Mr. Ashok Kheny, Managing Director of AKK Entertainment and Owner of Karnataka Bulldozers, expressed his pride in the team’s performance:”This weekend has shown the true character of the Karnataka Bulldozers. To chase 227 one day and then defend a total under immense pressure the next speaks volumes about the depth and determination of this squad. We didn’t just win; we played with the ‘Bulldozer’ spirit—relentless and powerful. I am incredibly proud of how the boys have represented Sandalwood, and we are now fully focused on bringing the trophy back home to Bengaluru.”
Team Captain Kichcha Sudeep, who led the side with strategic brilliance, added:”It’s been an emotional and exhilarating couple of days in Coimbatore. Watching Rajeev and Krishna dominate the crease was a treat for every fan in the stands. As a captain, seeing the team execute our plans so perfectly against two of the toughest teams in the league is very satisfying. We’ve secured the semi-final berth, but the job isn’t done yet. The roar of the Bulldozers is only getting louder as we head to the knockouts.” The Karnataka Bulldozers will now travel to Hyderabad for the semi-finals, scheduled for January 31, 2026, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. About Karnataka Bulldozers:
The Karnataka Bulldozers is the premier cricket team representing the Kannada film industry (Sandalwood) in the Celebrity Cricket League. Owned by Mr. Ashok Kheny of AKK Entertainment, the team is one of the most successful franchises in CCL history, known for its competitive spirit and star-studded lineup.