BCL 2026: The return of ‘universal boss’ Chris Gayle goes awry, UP Bridge Stars beat Northern Challengers by 24 runs

Big Cricket League Season 2: Cricket fans got a unique thrill at the BCL Arena in Greater Noida when Chris Gayle, one of the world’s most explosive batsmen, known as ‘Universal Boss’, made a comeback in competitive cricket. Gayle took the field captaining Northern Challengers in the fourth match of Big Cricket League (BCL) Season-2. However, their comeback could not end with a win and UP Bridge Stars performed brilliantly and defeated Northern Challengers by 24 runs.

Gayle decided to bowl after winning the toss.

Northern Challengers captain Chris Gayle won the toss and decided to bowl first. The team of UP Bridge Stars, who came to bat first, scored a score of 166 runs after losing 7 wickets in 20 overs. On behalf of UP, Chirag Gandhi played very match-winning and intelligent batting, which played the biggest role in helping the team reach this score.

Chasing the target of 167 runs, Chris Gayle’s Northern Challengers were under pressure from the very beginning. The Challengers’ batsmen were not able to play strokes freely in front of the tight bowling of the UP Bridge Stars bowlers. The entire team could score only 142 runs at the loss of 9 wickets in 20 overs and lost the match by 24 runs. In bowling, Jatin Mavi of UP Bridge Stars shook the middle order of Northern Challengers with his sharp line length and ensured the team’s victory. Even though Chris Gayle’s team had to face defeat in this match, the presence of ‘Universal Boss’ has added a new thrill and excitement to the entire tournament.

These players won awards

• Man of the Match: Chirag Gandhi (UP Bridge Stars)
• Best Batsman: Chirag Gandhi (UP Bridge Stars)
• Best Bowler: Jatin Mavi (UP Bridge Stars)

Money rained on emerging players

Under the special ‘Pro-Am’ format of Big Cricket League, where amateur players get a chance to play with international greats, cash prizes were given for their best performances.

Silver Buzzer Winner (Reward of Rs 50,000)

Bhanwar (Northern Challengers – Amateur Bowler): He bowled brilliantly and took 3 wickets for just 2 runs.

Bronze Buzzer Winner (Reward of Rs 25,000)

• Mujeeb (Northern Challengers – amateur bowler)
• Bhanwar (Northern Challengers – Amateur bowlers)
• Jatin Mavi (UP Bridge Stars – bowler)
• Jatin Saini (UP Bridge Stars – All-rounder)
• Saurin Thakur (UP Bridge Stars – Allrounder)