Doha: The Karnataka Rajatha Cup (KRC) 2025 emerged as a vibrant celebration of cricket, culture and community bonding in Qatar. Organised by Karnataka Sangha Qatar (KSQ) in association with Karnataka Royals Qatar (KRQ), the four-day tournament from 14–17 October at the Qatar Foundation Cricket Grounds drew impressive participation and enthusiastic crowds.
Inauguration marks the beginning of a grand sporting festival
The tournament opened with Mr E. P. Abdurahiman, President of the Indian Sports Centre, as Chief Guest, and Hariprashanth M. G., cine artist of Kantara fame, as Guest of Honour. KSQ President Ravi Shetty welcomed players, supporters and well-wishers, expressing gratitude to sponsors and volunteers.
Both dignitaries commended KSQ and KRQ for fostering unity through sport.
Thrilling league rounds set the tone for competitive cricket
Day 1 saw BT Gang, Alliance Qatar, Invincible CC and Hanan CC register early wins, followed by an entertaining exhibition match between Best of India and Best of Karnataka.
On Day 2, Invincible CC and Smart Qatar secured victories, while Hanan CC and Alliance Qatar played out a dramatic tie. Royal Qatar also opened their campaign with a win.
Day 3 featured wins for United Challengers, Royal Qatar, BT Gang and Hanan CC, confirming the semifinal line-up.
Royal Qatar lift the title after a gripping finale
The final day began with a close exhibition clash between Embassy 11 and KRC Organisers 11, won narrowly by Embassy 11.
In the semifinals, Royal Qatar defeated BT Gang, while Hanan CC overcame Invincible CC.
The grand finale witnessed Royal Qatar delivering a confident performance to lift the KRC 2025 championship trophy.
Key individual awards included:
- Man of the Match (Final): Anand Kumar (Royal Qatar)
- Man of the Series: Anand Kumar
- Best Bowler: Anand Kumar
- Best Batsman: Imran Koteshwara (Hanan CC)
- Best Wicketkeeper: Waheed (Royal Qatar)
- Best Fielder: Mohammed Paris (Hanan CC)
Cultural performances enrich the sporting celebration
The closing ceremony featured a lively cultural showcase choreographed by KT Soumya, supported by Bhuvana Suraj and Bhavana Naveen.
Guests of Honour included Mr Sandeep Kumar, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India; former India cricketer Vijay Bharadwaj; and choreographer-director A. Harsha.
In his address, KSQ President Ravi Shetty quoted poet Kuvempu, emphasising the ability of sport to foster unity and social harmony. Chief Guest Sandeep Kumar praised the tournament’s impeccable organisation and the high standard of play.
Kreeda Rathna Awards honour outstanding contributors
A major highlight was the Kreeda Rathna Awards 2025, recognising 25 individuals for their contributions to sport.
Kreeda Rathna Awardees:
Aditri Vikranth Patil, Irfan Ibrahim, Dr Sanjay Kudari, Sunil Dalmeida, Imran Koteshwara, Deekshith Alva, Abdul Salam, Vijaya N. Shetty, Kiran Anand, Anil Boloor, Rouf Ujire, Parvez Pajju.
Kreeda Poshaka Awardees:
Arun Kumar, Sharif Bantwal, V. S. Mannangi, Asmath Ali, Abdul Kader, Pradeep Shetty (Bahrain), S. D. T. Prasad (Oman), D. Ramesh (Bahrain), Nikhil Gowda (Bangalore), Satish B. R., Shaktivelu, Felix Lobo, Jerald D’Mello.
Committees, volunteers and media teams ensure smooth execution
Professional commentary was provided by Sujith, Chidanand Rai, Coach Salam, Rajesh Jain and guest anchor Savi Prakash. The Super Tennis Cricket team managed high-quality live coverage for viewers.
The organising team—led by Ravi Shetty (KSQ President), Dr Sanjay Kudari (Tournament Director), Anil Bhasagi (Manager), Raghuram Pujari (Coordinator) and Imran Shirva (Convener)—worked closely with committee members Naseer, Sarfraz, Shamseer, L. G. Patil, Kumar Swamy, Ramshi and Farhan, along with MC members and dedicated volunteers.
A celebration of sport, culture and community bonding
The Karnataka Rajatha Cup 2025 strengthened cultural ties, showcased cricketing excellence and highlighted the strong community spirit of the Karnataka diaspora in Qatar. The four-day event stood as a testament to teamwork, unity and cultural pride.
