Guwahati, August 24, 2026: Barpeta Braves created history by becoming the first-ever champions of the Assam Premier League after defeating Guwahati Royals by five wickets in the inaugural season final at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing 166 for victory, Barpeta reached the target with seven deliveries to spare. The result capped a successful first season for the state-level T20 competition and gave the Braves the distinction of having their name engraved on the inaugural trophy.
Guwahati Royals made a strong start after being asked to bat first. Opener Rohit Sen provided the early momentum with an explosive 53 off just 20 balls. His innings included six fours and four sixes and helped the Royals race past 50 inside the fifth over.
Barpeta, however, fought back strongly after Sen’s dismissal. Their bowlers tightened the scoring rate and picked up wickets at regular intervals. Guwahati eventually lost their last wicket at 165 in 19.4 overs.
The Braves began their chase positively and crossed 50 during the powerplay. Although they lost wickets during the middle and closing stages, their batters kept the required rate under control.
Arun Sonar played an important role in the chase, scoring 34 off 20 balls. He helped keep the innings moving as Barpeta stayed ahead of the required rate. Abhilash Maurya also contributed as the Braves completed the chase at 166/5 in 18.5 overs.
The victory completed a memorable campaign for Barpeta, who had finished the league stage with six wins and three defeats. Guwahati Royals had an identical win-loss record, but topped the table on net run rate. Both sides progressed to the final after winning their respective semi-finals.
The inaugural APL featured eight teams and 43 matches over 23 days, providing a new platform for cricketers from across Assam. Around 150 players took part, with several emerging names making an impression during the tournament.
Denish Das was among the standout performers. The Barpeta Braves batter also earned a place in the Duleep Trophy squad after an impressive stint in the competition. Rohit Sen, Bastab Roy, Shubham Kumar Gupta and Ayushman Malakar were among the other players to attract attention.
The tournament also drew interest from the wider cricketing community, with IPL franchises Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru reportedly having scouts present during the matches. The final itself attracted more than 25,000 spectators, underlining the growing popularity of cricket in Assam.
With its inaugural season now complete, the Assam Premier League has provided Assam cricket with a new competitive platform and a pathway for local talent to make its mark.
