Bangalore Slam Crowned Champions in a Thrilling Veterans Pro Cricket Over 40s Central Zone T20 League
The Veterans Pro Cricket Over 40s Central Zone T20 League, held from February 14 to 23, 2025, at the SS Cricket Academy & Country Cricket Club Indore, delivered a spectacular show of experience, grit, and sportsmanship. The tournament featured seasoned campaigners from eight competitive teams—Bangalore Slam, Royal RNTU Lions Bhopal, Lightning Stricker, Indore Challengers, TES Kerala Veterans, Macwise Spartans, Vananam Blasters, and Shri Krishna Club—all vying for the coveted title.
From nail-biting thrillers to dominant performances, the tournament had it all, culminating in Bangalore Slam emerging as the champions after a dominant win in the final.
Round 1: Competitive Spirit on Full Display
The league stage saw intense rivalries and standout performances. The tournament opener between Shri Krishan Club and Royal RNTU Lions Bhopal ended in favor of the Lions, who maintained their winning momentum by also defeating Lightning Strikers by 5 wickets, showcasing strong all-round capabilities.
Indore Challengers showed early promise with a victory over Shri Krishan Club, setting the stage for their semi-final qualification.
In a nail-biting encounter, Vananam Chargers Bengaluru edged past Tes Kerala Veterans by just 1 run, a result that emphasized how close the competition was. But the Chargers couldn’t sustain their winning form for long. After a defeat to Bangalore Slam by a massive 147 runs, and another close loss to Macwise Spartans by 3 wickets, they fell short of advancing.
Macwise Spartans, on the other hand, had a consistent run in the group stages. After defeating Bangalore Slam by 8 runs, they were humbled by Tes Kerala Veterans in a one-sided contest—losing by a whopping 72 runs. But they bounced back strongly with wins over Vananam Chargers and later, in a crunch semi-final match.
Tes Kerala Veterans had a mixed tournament. Though they stunned the Spartans with that dominant 72-run win, losses to Vananam Chargers and Bangalore Slam proved costly. Their inability to convert tight matches into wins cost them a semi-final spot.
Bangalore Slam, after their early loss to the Spartans, grew in confidence with back-to-back strong wins. A crucial win over Tes Kerala Veterans by 4 wickets, followed by a demolition job over Vananam Chargers, stamped their authority on the tournament.
Semi-Finals: Giants Collide
The knockout stage brought out the best in the teams.
In Semi-Final 1, Macwise Spartans faced a tough challenge from Royal RNTU Lions Bhopal. In a fiercely contested game, the Spartans held their nerve and edged out the Lions by just 4 runs, thanks to disciplined bowling in the death overs.
Semi-Final 2 saw Bangalore Slam take on Indore Challengers. Chasing a competitive total, Bangalore Slam delivered a clinical chase, winning by 6 wickets and booking their place in the final.
Both semi-finals highlighted the tactical acumen and composure that come with experience—a true hallmark of veteran cricket.
The Final Showdown: Bangalore Slam vs Macwise Spartans
The highly anticipated final between Bangalore Slam and Macwise Spartans turned out to be a fitting climax to the tournament.
Batting first, Bangalore Slam put up a challenging total, propelled by contributions across the top and middle order. Their batters, building on their form from earlier matches, played calculated strokes, balancing aggression with caution. The Spartans, though, showed grit with the ball and managed to restrict the Slam to a defendable score.
In response, Macwise Spartans began with confidence, but the Slam’s bowlers struck at regular intervals. Tight lines, smart variations, and brilliant fielding efforts kept the pressure on the Spartans throughout the innings.
Eventually, Bangalore Slam emerged victorious by 24 runs, lifting the Central Zone title and avenging their group stage loss to the Spartans.
Standout Performances & Tournament Highlights
Bangalore Slam’s turnaround after the initial loss was a testament to their leadership and depth. Their consistency with both bat and ball in the knockouts sealed the title.
Macwise Spartans were the most resilient unit, consistently pushing opponents to the brink and fighting till the last ball.
Tes Kerala Veterans, though unable to reach the semis, recorded the biggest win margin of the league—72 runs over the Spartans.
Royal RNTU Lions Bhopal impressed early but faltered in the crucial semi-final phase.
Vananam Chargers Bengaluru’s thrilling 1-run win was one of the closest games of the tournament.
A Celebration of Experience
The Veterans Pro Cricket Over 40s Central Zone T20 League was not just about competition—it was a celebration of experience, fitness, and the enduring love for cricket. The seasoned players proved that age is just a number, delivering performances that would put even younger athletes to the test.
Pollachi’s Suryabala Cricket Ground provided the perfect backdrop for this memorable event, with quality pitches and enthusiastic crowds cheering on their heroes.
With Bangalore Slam clinching the championship, the Central Zone leg ends on a high note, setting the tone for the remaining legs of the Veterans Pro Cricket International League 2025.
