07/06/2026
Daramdin United Cricket Club survived a late scare to defeat HPO Cricket Club Lingee by two runs and lift their maiden SICA title after a thrilling B Division final at Sikkim Cricket Ground, Mining on Sunday.
With 25 runs required from the final over, Daramdin appeared to be sealing the victory. However, Lingee’s lower middle-order batter smashed 22 runs from the first five deliveries, including two sixes. A huge maximum over deep long-on from the penultimate ball left Lingee needing just three runs from the final delivery to complete a chase.
But in a dramatic twist, the last ball resulted in a run-out, sealing a narrow two-run victory for Daramdin United.
This is the first tournament win for Daramdin United, who entered C Division when the Sikkim Cricket Association introduced its three-tier men’s cricket system in 2019.
Having fallen short in the semi-finals on more than one occasion, Daramdin United finally reached their maiden final this season and made the most of the opportunity by securing their first SICA title.
The final appearance also seals promotion to the top-flight A Division, making Daramdin United only the second team from West Sikkim, and first from Soreng district, to reach the highest level of club cricket in Sikkim.
Kudos ko HPO Cricket Club as well. Their rise has been impressive. Starting in the D Division, which is the lowest tier now, three seasons ago, they earned successive promotions and reached the B Division final. Having won the C Division title last year, Lingee came agonizingly close to adding another championship to their collection but had to settle for the runners-up trophy.
Both Lingee and Daramdin secured promotion to the A Division for next season.
Earlier, Lingee won the toss and elected to field.
Daramdin posted a competitive 182 for 7 from their allotted 30 overs, thanks largely to an unbeaten 62 from 48 deliveries by Andriyas Rai. His match-winning innings earned him the Player of the Match award. For Lingee, Dinesh Chettri and Binod claimed two wickets each.
In reply, Lingee suffered an early setback when they lost an opener in the first over. Dinesh Chettri (57) and Thanglung Lepcha (27) steadied the innings with a 50-run partnership for the second wicket, guiding their side to 52 for 1 at the start of the 12th over.
Daramdin captain Sharad S***a broke the stand by dismissing Thanglung, triggering a collapse that saw two more wickets fall in quick succession. Lingee slipped to 64 for 4 after 14 overs and appeared to be losing control of the chase.
The match turned again when Dhiraj Chettri, batting at number six, launched a superb counterattack. His 62 from 53 deliveries kept Lingee in contention and transformed the contest. From requiring 50 runs off the final four overs, Lingee suddenly found themselves within touching distance of victory.
Despite the late assault, Daramdin held their nerve. After conceding 22 runs from the first five balls of the final over, they produced a run-out from the last delivery to secure one of the most dramatic victories in recent SICA history.
Dhiraj finished the tournament as both the highest run-scorer and leading wicket-taker. Benoy Upreti of Shaft Cricket Club was named Player of the Tournament for his consistent all-round performances throughout the competition.
The final was attended by Shri Lakpa Moktan, State Level Youth President of Sikkim Krantikari Morcha, as the chief guest. Shri Basant Yonzon, Chairman of State Youth Development Board, and Shri Rewaz Chettri, OSD to the Chief Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, were the guests of honour. They were joined by SICA Executives and Members led by President Shri Tika S***a.
