Eastern Blaze and Screaming Eagles crowned 2026 SICA ‘C’ & ‘D’ Division Champions

Eastern Blaze Cricket Club and Screaming Eagles emerged as champions of the 2026 SICA Men’s C and D Division tournaments respectively after a thrilling double-header finale at Mining on Sunday.

Eastern Blaze Clinch Dramatic One-Wicket Victory

Eastern Blaze Cricket Club secured the SICA Men’s C Division title with a dramatic one-wicket win over Warmonger Cricket Club in a nail-biting final.

Chasing a target of 133, Eastern Blaze reached 133/9 in the final over, surviving a remarkable collapse to seal victory with just one wicket remaining.

The chase appeared to be under control when Eastern Blaze cruised to 103/3 in the 16th over. However, Warmonger staged a spirited comeback, reducing them to 124/9 within four overs and bringing the contest to life.

With six runs needed from the final three deliveries, tail-ender Santosh produced the decisive moment of the match, striking a six over the boundary to hand Eastern Blaze a victory.

Earlier, after winning the toss and electing to field, Eastern Blaze restricted Warmonger Cricket Club to 132/6 in their allotted 20 overs.

Nandan Kumar starred for the champions, top-scoring with 47 runs from 34 deliveries. His outstanding all-round performance throughout the tournament earned him the Player of the Match award as well as the Highest Run Scorer, Highest Wicket Taker and Player of the Tournament honours.

In the Men’s D Division final, Screaming Eagles registered a convincing eight-wicket victory over Press Club of Sikkim to lift the championship trophy.

Screaming Eagles Dominate D Division Final

After winning the toss and opting to field, Screaming Eagles produced an impressive bowling display to dismiss Press Club for 127 runs in 18.4 overs.

Press Club appeared well on course for a total approaching 180 when they reached 98/3 in the 13th over. However, the dismissal of Ashok Pradhan for a blistering 64 off just 29 balls triggered a dramatic collapse, with the remaining wickets falling cheaply.

Arun Niroula was the standout performer with the ball, claiming excellent figures of 4/14 in 3.4 overs. Anish Chettri provided strong support with 3/30, while a crucial catch taken by him off Arun’s bowling accounted for the dangerous Ashok Pradhan and shifted the momentum firmly in favour of Screaming Eagles.

In reply, Screaming Eagles chased down the target comfortably in 16.3 overs.

Openers Anuj Chettri and Bal Krishna Chettri laid the foundation for victory with an 81-run opening partnership in just eight overs. Anuj scored 41, while Bal Krishna contributed 32 as they effectively took the game away from the Press Club.

Arun Niroula was named Player of the Match for his match-winning bowling performance. Screaming Eagles’ Manoj Chettri claimed the Highest Wicket Taker award, while Anuj Chettri was named Player of the Tournament.

The Highest Run Scorer award in the D Division tournament went to Pema Thendup Lepcha of Toong Naga Cricket Club.

SCORECARD: Screaming Eagles vs Press Club of Sikkim

The prize presentation ceremony was graced by Chief Guest Smt. Prabha Pradhan, Zilla Upadhyaksha, Pakyong, and Guest of Honour Smt. Annapurna Alley, Secretary, Information and Public Relations Department, Government of Sikkim.

They were joined by SICA Vice-President Shri Karma Jigme Namgyal, Joint Secretary Shri Rajendra Gurung and Treasurer Shri Biren Gurung in presenting trophies, medals and individual awards to the winners, runners-up and outstanding performers from both divisions.

By reaching the final, both Eastern Blaze Cricket Club and Warmonger Cricket Club secured promotion to the SICA Men’s B Division for the next season.

From the D Division, four teams earned promotion to the C Division. Alongside finalists Screaming Eagles and Press Club of Sikkim, semi-finalists Toong Naga Cricket Club and Khorong Cricket Club also secured advancement.

The 16-team C Division tournament featured a league phase conducted across various venues in Sikkim, followed by knockout matches at a centralised venue.

The D Division competition began at district level before progressing to the state level. A total of 80 teams participated in district-level knockout tournaments across all six districts of Sikkim.

District champions, along with two qualifiers each from Gangtok and Namchi districts, where participation numbers necessitated separate tournaments, advanced to the eight-team state-level knockout competition.

Both the state-level C and D Division tournaments were hosted at Kitam in South Sikkim, with the finals held at Mining Ground, the home of cricket in Sikkim.

The Sikkim Cricket Association’s men’s cricket system is organised into four competitive tiers: A Division, B Division, C Division and D Division, providing a structured pathway for clubs to progress through the ranks of cricket in the state.