The 146th Battle of the Blues saw an intense contest on Day 2 as S. Thomas’ College put up a strong response to Royal College’s 319/7 declared.

Thomian Resistance 💪🏽

Duvindu Goonewardene led the charge with a brilliant 119, supported by A. Fernando’s valuable 50, guiding the Thomians to a commendable 302 all out in 103 overs.

Royal’s Bowling Heroics 🎯

Royal College’s Ramiru Perera was the star with a sensational 5-wicket haul (5/58), breaking through the Thomian batting lineup. He was well-supported by Malawiarachchi, who picked up 3/72.

With just 17 runs separating the teams, the match remains wide open as both teams head into the decisive final day! Who will lift the shield?

Dubai: The stage is set for an electrifying ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final as India takes on New Zealand in Dubai on March 9. Both teams have displayed remarkable form throughout the tournament, and fans worldwide are eagerly anticipating an intense battle for the coveted title.

India’s Path to the Final

India has been dominant in the tournament, securing crucial victories against Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand in the group stage. In the semi-final on March 4, they faced Australia and emerged victorious by four wickets, successfully chasing a target of 265 with 11 balls to spare. Rohit Sharma (68), Virat Kohli (54), and KL Rahul (45) played crucial roles, while Ravindra Jadeja (38*) ensured a composed finish.

New Zealand’s Journey

New Zealand stormed into the final with a commanding 50-run win over South Africa in the second semi-final on March 5 in Lahore. Batting first, the Kiwis posted a massive total of 362/6, with Devon Conway (112) and Glenn Phillips (89) leading the charge. South Africa fought hard but fell short, finishing at 312/9.

Key Absence: Bumrah Ruled Out

A significant concern for India heading into the final is the absence of star pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who has been ruled out of the squad. This will put added responsibility on the likes of Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja to deliver with the ball against a strong New Zealand batting lineup.

Key Players to Watch

For India, the experienced duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be crucial in handling New Zealand’s disciplined bowling attack. With Bumrah out, Mohammed Siraj’s pace and Kuldeep Yadav’s spin could be decisive factors in restricting the Black Caps’ batting lineup.

New Zealand will rely on Kane Williamson’s tactical approach and the firepower of their bowling unit, led by Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson, to challenge India’s batting order. The all-round abilities of Mitchell Santner and Daryl Mitchell could also prove vital in this high-stakes clash.

A Historic Final Awaits

As two of the most consistent teams in world cricket prepare for the ultimate battle, fans can expect a thrilling contest in Dubai. Will India continue their dominance and add another ICC trophy to their collection, or will New Zealand finally claim their first Champions Trophy title?

The countdown to the grand finale begins – cricket enthusiasts, get ready for an unforgettable showdown!

The much-anticipated 146th Battle of the Blues between Royal College and S. Thomas’ College kicked off in thrilling fashion, with Royal College asserting dominance on Day 1.

Royal College Takes Control with a Strong Batting Display

Winning the toss and electing to bat, Royal College posted an imposing 319/7 before declaring their innings. The star of the show was Rehan Peiris, who played a majestic knock of 158 runs, anchoring the innings with composure and flair. He was well supported by T. Wewalwala, who contributed 48 runs.

S. Thomas’ College bowlers struggled to contain the Royalists, with Darien Diego (2/43) and Kavindu Dias (2/71) being the only notable wicket-takers.

S. Thomas’ College Steady at Stumps

In response, S. Thomas’ College ended Day 1 at 32/0 after 10 overs, with A. Fernando (18)* and J. Amaraweera (14)* holding firm. They will look to build a solid foundation on Day 2 to counter Royal’s first-innings dominance.

Head-to-Head Stats – A Rivalry of Legends

With a rich history spanning 145 matches, the Battle of the Blues remains one of Sri Lanka’s most prestigious school cricket encounters. Both teams have won 36 matches each, with the rest ending in draws.

• Highest Team Score: Royal College holds the edge with 432, while S. Thomas’ best is 411.
• Centurions: Both teams boast 29 century-makers in the history of this fixture.
• Recent Form: Royal last won in 2023, while S. Thomas’ College’s last victory was in 2019.

As the match heads into Day 2, all eyes will be on S. Thomas’ College’s batting lineup and whether they can match Royal’s first-innings dominance. Can they turn the tide, or will Royal tighten their grip on the game?

Stay tuned for more updates from the 146th Battle of the Blues!