01/06/2026
l The Sikkim Cricket Association (SICA) domestic season concluded two major promotional tiers at the Sikkim Cricket Ground, highlighted by a dominant victory in the D Division and a final-over thriller in the C Division.
In the SICA D Division final, the Screaming Eagles Lingmoo secured an eight-wicket victory over the Press Club of Sikkim. After electing to bat first, the Press Club was bowled out for 127 in 18.4 overs, heavily reliant on a rapid 64 off 29 balls from opener Ashok Pradhan. Screaming Eagles' bowler Arun Niroula spearheaded the attack with figures of 4/14, setting up a seamless chase. An 81-run opening stand between Anuj Chettri (41) and Bal Krishna Chettri (32) anchored the reply, allowing the Screaming Eagles to comfortably reach 129/2 in 16.3 overs. By virtue of reaching the final, both teams earned automatic promotion to the C Division for the upcoming cycle.
The SICA C Division final delivered higher drama, as Eastern Blaze edged out Warmonger Cricket Club by just one wicket with two balls to spare. Batting first, Warmonger CC posted 132/6 in their 20 overs, anchored by Badal Gurung’s unbeaten 36 and Sawan Chettri’s 33. Eastern Blaze’s disciplined bowling was led by Nandan Kumar, who conceded a mere 12 runs in his four-over spell. In response, Eastern Blaze rode a match-defining 47 runs off 34 balls from Nandan Kumar and a vital 27 from Dipum Kumar Chettri. Despite a fierce four-wicket haul from Warmonger CC's Pema Sangay (4/27) that triggered a late-order collapse, Eastern Blaze's tail held their nerve to finish at 133/9 in 19.4 overs. Following his decisive contributions, Nandan Kumar swept the tournament's individual honors, capturing both the Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament awards as the leading run-scorer (153 runs) and joint highest wicket-taker (6 wickets).
