The Celebrity Cricket League (CCL) is a unique cricket tournament that brings together India’s film fraternity and the nation’s passion for cricket. Established in 2011, the CCL features teams comprising actors from various regional film industries, including Bollywood, Tollywood, Kollywood, and Sandalwood. The league aims to foster camaraderie among film industries and provide entertainment to fans by showcasing their favorite stars in a sporting avatar.
Table of CCL Winners Across Seasons
Season | Year | Winner | Runner-up | Format | Number of Teams |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2011 | Chennai Rhinos | Karnataka Bulldozers | T20 | 4 |
2 | 2012 | Chennai Rhinos | Karnataka Bulldozers | T20 | 6 |
3 | 2013 | Karnataka Bulldozers | Telugu Warriors | T20 | 8 |
4 | 2014 | Karnataka Bulldozers | Kerala Strikers | T20 | 8 |
5 | 2015 | Telugu Warriors | Chennai Rhinos | T20 | 8 |
6 | 2016 | Telugu Warriors | Karnataka Bulldozers | T20 | 8 |
7 | 2017 | Telugu Warriors | Kerala Strikers | T10 | 6 |
8 | 2019 | Mumbai Heroes | Karnataka Bulldozers | T10 | 6 |
9 | 2023 | Telugu Warriors | Bhojpuri Dabanggs | T20 (2 Innings) | 8 |
10 | 2024 | Bengal Tigers | Karnataka Bulldozers | T20 (2 Innings) | 8 |
Season 1 (2011) – Chennai Rhinos
- Duration: June 4, 2011 – June 12, 2011
- Winner: Chennai Rhinos
- Runner-up: Karnataka Bulldozers
- Format: T20
- Number of Teams: 4
The inaugural season of the CCL featured four teams: Chennai Rhinos, Karnataka Bulldozers, Mumbai Heroes, and Telugu Warriors. Chennai Rhinos clinched the title by defeating Karnataka Bulldozers in a closely contested final, marking the beginning of a new entertainment-sport fusion in India.
Season 2 (2012) – Chennai Rhinos
- Duration: January 13, 2012 – February 12, 2012
- Winner: Chennai Rhinos
- Runner-up: Karnataka Bulldozers
- Format: T20
- Number of Teams: 6
The second season saw the addition of two new teams: Kerala Strikers and Bengal Tigers. Chennai Rhinos successfully defended their title, once again overcoming Karnataka Bulldozers in the final, showcasing their dominance in the early years of the league.
Season 3 (2013) – Karnataka Bulldozers
- Duration: February 9, 2013 – March 10, 2013
- Winner: Karnataka Bulldozers
- Runner-up: Telugu Warriors
- Format: T20
- Number of Teams: 8
Season 3 expanded to include eight teams with the introduction of Bhojpuri Dabanggs and Veer Marathi. Karnataka Bulldozers emerged victorious, defeating Telugu Warriors in the final, and securing their first CCL title after two consecutive runner-up finishes.
Season 4 (2014)- Karnataka Bulldozers
- Duration: January 25, 2014 – February 23, 2014
- Winner: Karnataka Bulldozers
- Runner-up: Kerala Strikers
- Format: T20
- Number of Teams: 8
Karnataka Bulldozers continued their winning streak by clinching their second consecutive title, defeating Kerala Strikers in the final. Their consistent performance solidified their reputation as a formidable team in the league.
Season 5 (2015) – Telugu Warriors
- Duration: January 10, 2015 – February 1, 2015
- Winner: Telugu Warriors
- Runner-up: Chennai Rhinos
- Format: T20
- Number of Teams: 8
Telugu Warriors claimed their first CCL title by defeating Chennai Rhinos in the final. This victory marked the beginning of Telugu Warriors’ dominance in the subsequent seasons.
Season 6 (2016) – Telugu Warriors
- Duration: January 23, 2016 – February 14, 2016
- Winner: Telugu Warriors
- Runner-up: Karnataka Bulldozers
- Format: T20
- Number of Teams: 8
Telugu Warriors successfully defended their title, defeating Karnataka Bulldozers in the final. Their back-to-back victories showcased their growing prowess in the league.
Season 7 (2017) – Telugu Warriors
- Duration: January 23, 2017 – February 12, 2017
- Winner: Telugu Warriors
- Runner-up: Kerala Strikers
- Format: T10
- Number of Teams: 6
The seventh season introduced a T10 format, reducing the number of overs per side. Telugu Warriors continued their winning streak, securing their third consecutive title by defeating Kerala Strikers in the final.
Season 8 (2019) – Mumbai Heroes
- Duration: February 27, 2019 – March 10, 2019
- Winner: Mumbai Heroes
- Runner-up: Karnataka Bulldozers
- Format: T10
- Number of Teams: 6
In Season 8, the Mumbai Heroes finally clinched their first CCL title. The league retained the T10 format introduced in the previous season, adding a quick-paced and high-energy dynamic to the games. Mumbai Heroes, led by Bollywood celebrities, emerged victorious over the Karnataka Bulldozers, breaking the winning streak of the Telugu Warriors. This season was particularly exciting, as Mumbai Heroes’ journey to the title showcased the competitive spirit of the CCL, with fan support pouring in for the Bollywood stars.
Season 9 (2023) – Telugu Warriors
- Duration: February 18, 2023 – March 5, 2023
- Winner: Telugu Warriors
- Runner-up: Bhojpuri Dabanggs
- Format: T20 (2 Innings)
- Number of Teams: 8
After a brief hiatus, CCL returned in 2023 with a fresh format of T20 with two innings per side, adding strategic depth to the tournament. The Telugu Warriors reclaimed their championship title, defeating the Bhojpuri Dabanggs in an intense final. The new format allowed teams to showcase both batting and bowling strengths across two innings, giving fans a thrilling experience. The Telugu Warriors’ comeback and victory further cemented their place as one of the most successful teams in CCL history.
Season 10 (2024) – Bengal Tigers
- Duration: March 10, 2024 – March 24, 2024
- Winner: Bengal Tigers
- Runner-up: Karnataka Bulldozers
- Format: T20 (2 Innings)
- Number of Teams: 8
The latest season, Season 10, saw the Bengal Tigers lifting their first CCL trophy, making it a historic win for the team. Retaining the two-innings T20 format, this season showcased intense matches with high scores and impressive performances from Bengal Tigers’ star players. In the final match, they defeated the Karnataka Bulldozers, who had made it to the finals multiple times over the years. The Bengal Tigers’ win was celebrated by fans, and it highlighted the growing competitiveness among teams in the CCL.
Celebrity Cricket League has proven to be a unique and entertaining blend of sports and cinema, drawing fans from across India’s diverse film industries. Each season brings new surprises, showcasing the passion and camaraderie of celebrity players who bring their all to the field. The CCL’s format innovations and team rivalries continue to make it a much-anticipated event, merging two of India’s biggest passions: cricket and cinema.