1
1
6
1
0
4
= 13
Match Details
JKB vs SPR, 21st T20, NPL 2026 summary
JKB
93-10(19.5)
Sudurpaschim Royals won by 27 runs 🏆
SPR
(20.0)120-9
+
P'ship : 0(0)
19:57
Sudurpaschim Royals beat Janakpur Bolts by 27 runs | Match 21…
Commentary
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Milestone
That's it from our live coverage of this NPL fixture. This is Mohammad Anab signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Saptak Sanyal and our scorer/analyst Zeeshan Naiyer. Cheers.
There will be a break in NPL 2026 on Wednesday but we return with a double-header on Thursday. The afternoon game will be played between Biratnagar Kings and Pokhara Avengers, while Karnali Yaks and defending champions Lumbini Lions will fight it out in the evening fixture.
An extraordinary performance by Sudurpaschim Royals as they have managed to defend a low total of 120 runs by a good margin of 27 runs. They bowled as per the conditions and made Janakpur Bolts work hard for every run. Royals have now registered a hat-trick of wins while Bolts have lost three games in a row.
Dipendra Singh Airee (Sudurpaschim Royals Captain): "(On defending 120 runs) The pitch was very difficult to bat on. Even when we were batting, we found it challenging. So, we were hopeful that if we could make it difficult for the opposition as well, we would have a chance of winning. Our bowlers did a brilliant job.
(On bowling seam for the entire duration of powerplay) That was our plan because both of them can swing the ball. That's why we gave them the responsibility of bowling early. They did a very good job and picked up wickets in the powerplay, putting the opposition under pressure. That made things even easier for our spinners afterwards.
(On the team) We had a discussion about the energy that was missing in our first couple of games. That energy has come back now, and we spoke about bringing it into our performances. That's what the team has been doing, and we're playing good cricket as a result.
(On the fans) Our fans have always supported us. I hope they continue to do so. We'll keep winning games like this and play good cricket going forward."
(On bowling seam for the entire duration of powerplay) That was our plan because both of them can swing the ball. That's why we gave them the responsibility of bowling early. They did a very good job and picked up wickets in the powerplay, putting the opposition under pressure. That made things even easier for our spinners afterwards.
(On the team) We had a discussion about the energy that was missing in our first couple of games. That energy has come back now, and we spoke about bringing it into our performances. That's what the team has been doing, and we're playing good cricket as a result.
(On the fans) Our fans have always supported us. I hope they continue to do so. We'll keep winning games like this and play good cricket going forward."
Harmeet Singh (Janakpur Bolts Captain): "(At the halfway stage, you would have thought those two points coming your way) Yeah I think as much as the wicket favoured spin, we got out more to pacers and also had two run-outs. I can not give excuses like the pitch was not good or anything. Simply we did not apply well.
(Does the replacement of players change the dynamics and consistency of the team?) Definitely I think it has been one of those seasons where guys are coming in and out. We had eleven guys coming in and out. It is franchise cricket yes, but it is tough for the batters to come out and start scoring runs. We had to shuffle our batting line-up, still no excuse.
(On his personal performance) Yes I think effort and body language is on your control. I am big on that and I ask for that from the boys. We had them by the neck and squeezed them on for as long as possible. I wanted to bowl the tough overs, 17 and 19. Given with the left handers and how the wicket played, I backed myself for those overs. You know this is one of those tournaments where you can't put your feet off the paddle for a second. You lose those moments and suddenly a 10-15 run partnership becomes big."
(Does the replacement of players change the dynamics and consistency of the team?) Definitely I think it has been one of those seasons where guys are coming in and out. We had eleven guys coming in and out. It is franchise cricket yes, but it is tough for the batters to come out and start scoring runs. We had to shuffle our batting line-up, still no excuse.
(On his personal performance) Yes I think effort and body language is on your control. I am big on that and I ask for that from the boys. We had them by the neck and squeezed them on for as long as possible. I wanted to bowl the tough overs, 17 and 19. Given with the left handers and how the wicket played, I backed myself for those overs. You know this is one of those tournaments where you can't put your feet off the paddle for a second. You lose those moments and suddenly a 10-15 run partnership becomes big."
Scott Kuggeleijn (Player of the Match): "(What was the plan today?) I tried to not think technically today, just wanted to be aggressive. We did not have a huge total and yes the things clicked in my favour tonight.
(Did you receive any message from your captain at the halfway mark?) We were aggressive in the powerplay, and got a few extra scalps. Obviously we did not have a huge total on the board, but yes we needed those extras.
(On Hemant Dhami) Yes Hemant has got a lot of skill, a really good inswinger. He has got that leg-cutter to trouble the right handers a lot. He has a very great future I think.
(On his batting) I try to get better. But yes I should have tried a few reverse sweeps (chuckles)."
(Did you receive any message from your captain at the halfway mark?) We were aggressive in the powerplay, and got a few extra scalps. Obviously we did not have a huge total on the board, but yes we needed those extras.
(On Hemant Dhami) Yes Hemant has got a lot of skill, a really good inswinger. He has got that leg-cutter to trouble the right handers a lot. He has a very great future I think.
(On his batting) I try to get better. But yes I should have tried a few reverse sweeps (chuckles)."
Player of the Match: Scott Kuggeleijn
Electrifying Fours of the Match: Brandon McMullen
Energetic Moment of the Match: Brandon McMullen
Powerplay Champion: Trit Raj Das
Commentary