BATTING AGAINST ODDS, WINNING HEARTS: IWPL-7 INSPIRES ALL
Nature itself seemed to join the celebration. After days of intense summer heat, brief showers earlier in the week had brought slight relief, creating relatively better playing conditions. Yet Delhi’s unforgiving June weather continued to test endurance. Despite the challenging conditions, the players remained undeterred. Every stroke, every sprint across the pitch and every determined chase reflected unmatched passion and relentless fighting spirit. The tournament had become far more than a cricket competition. Spectators erupted with excitement from the sidelines, cheering every brilliant moment as the league transformed into a larger symbol of inclusion, empowerment and determination. Behind the scenes, volunteers and organisers worked tirelessly to ensure flawless execution, matching the same energy being displayed on the field.
Preparations for IWPL-7 had begun months in advance, with the beautifully designed championship trophy unveiled earlier in the presence of players, organisers, dignitaries and supporters. Organised by Ek Mutthi Trust, the tournament had steadily grown into one of India’s most respected sporting platforms promoting inclusivity through cricket. Since its launch in 2018, inspired by the IPL format, the league had been dedicated to providing wheelchair cricketers with the recognition and opportunities they truly deserved. This year’s edition had been organised in collaboration with the Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI), strengthening its position as a nationally recognised sporting movement for differently-abled athletes. The tournament officially commenced on 14 June and was set to culminate in the grand finale on 21 June. The celebrations began with a grand roadshow rally that started from Rajapuri Chowk and concluded at Bal Bhavan International School. The vibrant procession moved through several parts of Dwarka as players representing Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Maharashtra, Chennai, Hyderabad and Madhya Pradesh participated alongside students carrying IWPL and Ek Mutthi banners.
The atmosphere remained electric with energetic Bhangra performances, dhol beats, live music bands and enthusiastic supporters marching together for the cause of inclusion and empowerment. Volunteers, NGOs and organisers joined the rally, while special arrangements including medical and hydration support ensured participant safety throughout the procession. The opening day concluded with an entertaining exhibition match between the IWPL Wheelchair Team and the Bal Bhavan Women’s Team. Batting first, the IWPL Team posted 50 runs for seven wickets in six overs, with Raja Babu top-scoring with 22 runs while Saurabh Malik added a valuable 16. The Bal Bhavan Women’s Team responded confidently, chasing down the target in just 4.4 overs without losing a wicket and sealing a dominant 10-wicket victory. Apeksha Anand and Bharti Rawal both remained unbeaten on 26 runs each, with the winning six creating one of the loudest moments of celebration on opening day. With the ball, Aveshika produced the most memorable spell of the match by claiming five wickets for 14 runs, while Chakshita supported brilliantly with two wickets. For her exceptional performance, Aveshika was declared Player of the Match.
The grand inauguration ceremony was graced by Delhi Cabinet Minister Ravindra Indraj Singh as Chief Guest, alongside distinguished dignitaries including Dr. Pushpa Sethi, DG (E) Rotary International- 3011. Actor and producer Rohit Choudhary added glamour to the celebrations as Celebrity Guest. Each match of IWPL-7 unfolded like a gripping saga of determination, passion, and electrifying energy. The Bal Bhawan grounds reverberated daily with the roar of crowds, as fans poured in from across the city to witness this extraordinary celebration of wheelchair cricket. Their thunderous applause, rousing chants and unwavering support turned every game into a festival of spirit and sportsmanship. The finals on June 21 witnessed an adrenaline-pumping showdown between J&K Jaguars and Chennai Cholas. With the crowd on its feet and emotions running high, clinched victory, lifting the coveted IWPL-7 trophy amidst roaring cheers. The closing ceremony was as grand as the tournament itself. Prizes were awarded in a jubilant atmosphere, celebrating not just victory but the unbreakable spirit of every participant. The player of the tournament was Romasiar Wani, Captain of J&K Jaguars, Best Batsman was also Romasiar Wani, Captain of J&K Jaguars and best bowler was Adil Nabi Bhat of J&K Jaguars. More than a sporting tournament, IWPL-7 emerged as a movement - one that celebrated ability over disability, courage over limitation and proved that true champions are defined not by circumstances but by the strength of their spirit.
●18 June
Rajasthan Rajwade beat Delhi Dynamos by 5 wickets
Rajasthan Rajwade continued their impressive run in IWPL Season 7 with a 5-wicket victory over Delhi Dynamos on 18 June. The match featured 246 runs and 11 wickets, with Rajasthan successfully chasing down the target. Batting first, Delhi Dynamos posted 121/6 in their 12 overs, giving themselves a reasonable total to defend. The innings saw contributions from several batters, helping the team cross the 120-run mark despite losing wickets at regular intervals. Rajasthan's bowlers limited the scoring during the middle and final overs, preventing Delhi from adding a bigger total. Among the standout performers was Naresh Ariya, who made an impact with both bat and ball. He claimed 1 wicket for 17 runs in 2 overs and later played a crucial role in the chase. His all-round performance earned him the Player of the Match award.
Chasing 122 runs for victory, Rajasthan Rajwade batters kept the scoreboard moving and ensured the required rate never became a concern. Naresh Ariya led the chase with an unbeaten 37 runs from just 12 balls, including 4 fours and 3 sixes. Although the team lost five wickets during the chase, they continued to score freely and reached 125/5 in just 8.1 overs, completing the target with 23 balls remaining. Delhi Dynamos managed to take wickets along the way, but they were unable to slow Rajasthan's scoring rate. Irfan was recognized as the Best Bowler for his efforts, but Rajasthan's batting depth proved decisive. The victory earned Rajasthan Rajwade valuable points and strengthened their position in the tournament standings. The match highlighted Rajasthan's ability to chase targets efficiently and capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Chennai Cholas Vs
Hyderabad Hawks
Chennai Cholas secured a 5-run victory over Hyderabad Hawks. With 211 runs and 16 wickets, keeping spectators engaged until the final over. Batting first, Chennai Cholas were bowled out for 108 runs in 10.4 overs. The innings featured contributions from several players, helping Chennai cross the 100-run mark before being dismissed. According to the match awards, Vellore Saravanan was named Player of the Match for his all-round contribution, scoring 8 runs from 11 balls and taking 1 wicket for 13 runs in 2 overs. Chennai's target was 109 runs. Chasing 109 runs, Hyderabad Hawks remained in contention throughout the innings and took the match deep into the final overs. The standout performer for Hy-derabad was Parshuram, who was awarded Best Batter, Best Bowler and Fighter of the Match. He scored an important 53 runs from 25 balls, providing the backbone of Hyderabad's chase, and also de-livered an excellent bowling spell earlier in the match, finishing with figures of 4 wickets for 17 runs in 2.4 overs. Despite his efforts, Hyderabad Hawks were unable to get over the line and finished on 103/6 in 12 overs, falling short by just 5 runs. With 108 all out in 10.4 overs compared to Hyderabad Hawks' 103/6 in 12 overs, the match highlighted how every run can matter in a short-format contest.
●June 19, 2026
Maharashtra Marathas Vs MP Mavericks
Maharashtra Marathas secured a 9-run victory over MP Mavericks. With 293 runs and 11 wickets. Bat-ting first, Maharashtra Marathas made 151/6 in 12 overs, setting MP Mavericks a target of 152 runs. The Marathas' batters maintained a steady scoring rate throughout the innings and made good use of the limited overs available. Contributions came from different parts of the batting order, helping the team build a competitive total. A valuable late contribution came from Niklesh Pednekar, who remained unbeaten on 19 runs from just 7 balls, adding important runs in the closing stages. His quick innings helped Maharashtra cross the 150-run mark and gave the bowlers a useful total to defend. At the in-nings break, Maharashtra Marathas were satisfied with their score but knew they would need a strong bowling effort against a capable MP Mavericks batting lineup. MP Mavericks innings was dominated by Kamal Kanchole, who played an outstanding unbeaten knock of 89 runs from 35 balls, including 16 fours and 4 sixes. His innings kept MP Mavericks in the contest and ensured the target remained within reach for most of the chase. However, despite his efforts, Maharashtra Marathas managed to maintain control during crucial moments. MP Mavericks eventually finished on 142/5 in 12 overs, falling 9 runs short of the target. The key performer for Maharashtra was Niklesh Pednekar, who followed up his val-uable batting contribution with an excellent spell of bowling. He claimed 3 wickets for 35 runs in 3.5 overs, earning both the Player of the Match and Best Bowler awards. His all-round performance played a major role in Maharashtra's victory. Kamal Kanchole was recognized as the Best Batter for his impres-sive unbeaten 89, which was one of the finest individual innings of the tournament. Despite MP Maver-icks' strong fight back, Maharashtra Marathas held their nerve in the closing stages and successfully de-fended their total.
June 21, 2026
Chennai Cholas Crowned IWPL Season 7 Champions
Chennai Cholas were crowned champions of IWPL Season 7 after a thrilling four-wicket victory over Jammu and Kashmir Jaguars in the final played on June 21. Batting first, Jammu and Kashmir Jaguars posted a huge total of 249/6 in 20 overs. Romaisar Wani once again led from the front with a superb 85 runs off just 34 balls. His innings included 12 boundaries and six sixes and helped his side put up a strong score in the title clash. Adil Nabi Bhat also made an impact with the ball and picked up three wick-ets for 44 runs in four overs. Jammu and Kashmir Jaguars looked in control after putting up such a big total and were hopeful of lifting the trophy. Their batters played with confidence and kept the score-board moving throughout the innings. Romaisar Wani was also named the Best Batter of the match, while his fighting effort earned him the Fighter of the Match award. It was a complete team perfor-mance and they gave Chennai a tough target in the biggest match of the tournament. Chasing 250, Chennai Cholas showed great character and produced a memorable run chase. The team reached 250/6 in 19 overs to win the final by four wickets and become the champions of IWPL Season 7. Suresh Selvam played a match-winning knock of 84 runs from just 30 balls, hitting 10 boundaries and seven sixes. His aggressive batting changed the game and earned him the Player of the Match award. Chennai kept scor-ing at a quick pace and stayed calm under pressure despite losing wickets. Their batters supported each other well and made sure the required run rate never became a problem. The crowd witnessed an excit-ing final filled with big shots and brilliant performances from both teams. Jammu and Kashmir Jaguars fought hard till the end, but Chennai Cholas held their nerve and completed one of the finest chases of the season. With this victory, Chennai Cholas lifted the IWPL Season 7 trophy and finished their cam-paign on a memorable note, while Jammu and Kashmir Jaguars ended the tournament as worthy run-ners-up after an excellent season.
20 June (Semifinals)
Jammu and Kashmir Jaguar Vs Maharashtra Marathas
Jammu and Kashmir Jaguar also booked their place in the final of IWPL Season 7 after defeating Maha-rashtra Marathas by 5 runs in a high-scoring semi-final on June 20. Batting first, Jammu and Kashmir Jaguar put up a huge total of 215/4 in 15 overs. Star batter Romaisar Wani played a brilliant unbeaten knock of 149 runs from 58 balls and was named Player of the Match. His innings included 19 bounda-ries and 11 sixes and helped his team post a strong score. Deepak Chahal also impressed with the ball and took two important wickets. Their batting performance gave them a strong advantage going into the second innings. Chasing 216, Maharashtra Marathas ,Shailesh Yadav played an outstanding unbeat-en innings of 133 runs from 52 balls and almost took his side to victory. He hit 28 boundaries and two sixes and was named Fighter of the Match for his brave effort. However, despite his brilliant knock, Ma-harashtra Marathas finished on 210/4 in 15 overs. Deepak Chahal's bowling performance also played an important role in restricting the opposition. The match turned out to be one of the most exciting con-tests of IWPL Season 7, with both teams showing great skill and determination. With this victory, Jam-mu and Kashmir Jaguar entered the final with confidence and will now aim to lift the championship tro-phy. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Marathas bowed out after putting up a strong fight and earning the re-spect of everyone with their never-give-up attitude.
Chennai Cholas
Vs
Delhi Dynamos
Chennai Cholas booked their place in the final of IWPL Season 7 with a strong 7-wicket win over Delhi Dynamos in the semi-final. Batting first, Delhi Dynamos posted 170/6 in their 15 overs after putting up a good fight with the bat. The star of the match was G Santhosh, who played a superb unbeaten knock of 85 runs from 44 balls. For his brilliant effort, G Santhosh was named Player of the Match and also re-ceived the Best Batter award.
Chennai Cholas also impressed with the ball. Sundaramoorthy bowled and picked up 2 wickets for 35 runs in his three overs. His contribution earned him the Best Bowler award. Delhi Dynamos tried hard to defend their total and kept fighting till the end. Saurabh Malik showed great determination and was named Fighter of the Match for his effort. Chennai's calm approach and strong display in the semi-final made them deserving winners and set up an exciting final ahead.
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