Bengaluru, Dec 26: The iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru witnessed the thrilling conclusion of the Kannada Chalanachitra Cup, a unique cricket tournament that brought together actors, actresses, and technicians from the Kannada film industry.
The event, held from December 23 to December 26, showcased the sporting spirit of the sandalwood industry as six teams, captained by renowned actors like Shivraj Kumar, Sudeep, Duniya Vijay, Golden Star Ganesh, Real Star Upendra, and Dolly Dhananjaya, competed for the prestigious Kannada Film Cup.

The tournament not only featured the glittering stars of Sandalwood but also welcomed star cricketers from different countries to join in the excitement. Players like Suresh Raina, S Badrinath, Robin Uthappa, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Herschel Gibbs, and Murali Vijay added an extra edge to the competition.
In a nail-biting final match held in the T10 format, Ganga Warriors, led by Golden Star Ganesh, emerged victorious against Rashtrakuta Panthers. The Warriors secured a thrilling 4-run victory, clinching the Kannada Film Cup in a closely contested battle.
Ganga Warriors paved their way to the final by defeating Hoysala Eagles by 10 runs in the semifinals. Rashtrakuta Panthers, on the other hand, showcased their mettle by overcoming Kadamba Lions in the final group stage match, winning by 7 wickets to secure a spot in the championship clash.
In the final showdown, Rashtrakuta Panthers won the toss and opted to bowl. Despite losing an early wicket, Ganga Warriors posted a challenging total of 111 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in 10 overs, with Avinash contributing a blistering 40 runs in just 12 balls.
Chasing the formidable target, Rashtrakuta Panthers made an aggressive start, scoring 53 runs without losing a wicket in the first 5 overs. The match hung in the balance, with the Panthers seeming poised for victory.
However, Ganga Warriors' bowlers staged a remarkable comeback in the remaining overs, restricting Rashtrakuta Panthers to 107 runs and securing the championship with a narrow 4-run win.
The Kannada Chalanachitra Cup featured a total of 16 matches, culminating in an exciting final. Over three days, each team played five single round-robin matches, with the table-toppers and the second-placed teams earning their spots in the final, adding an extra layer of competition and excitement to this unique blend of cricket and cinema.