The Uttarakhand Premier League (UPLT20) 2025 saw Haridwar Elmas emerge victorious, claiming the title after a 4-wicket win against Nainital Tigers in the final. A significant contribution to Haridwar Elmas’s success came from their captain, Kunal Chandela, who played a pivotal role with his batting throughout the tournament. Chandela was the standout batsman, not only for his team but also in the entire league, and his performances at the top of the order proved crucial to his team’s triumph.
Chandela topped the UPLT20 2025 run charts, scoring 455 runs. He hit 22 sixes across 7 matches, and he was the only player to cross the 450-run milestone. His innings included two centuries and two half-centuries, and he maintained a strike rate of 177. Chandela’s remarkable consistency earned him the Player of the Tournament award.
The final match saw Nainital Tigers setting a target of 148 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in 20 overs. Haridwar Elmas successfully chased the target, reaching 149 runs with 4 balls remaining while losing 6 wickets. Kunal Chandela, the captain of Haridwar Elmas, was the highest scorer in the final. Opening the innings, he scored 33 runs in 19 balls, boasting a strike rate exceeding 173.
Chandela celebrated the championship win in a manner reminiscent of Rohit Sharma, emulating Sharma’s celebration after the T20 World Cup 2024 victory.
Adding an interesting layer to the story, Chandela shares a birthday, July 7th, with MS Dhoni.