Snowlion T20 League: Lee Yong leads CAT to maiden title

GANGTOK,: Cricket Association of Tathangchen (CAT) defeated Irises Cricket Club by 7 wickets to win the inaugural Snowlion T20 League on Tuesday at the SICA ground, Mining near Rangpo. The victory secured CAT their first-ever title.

Led by their skipper Lee Yong Lepcha, CAT produced a clinical performance to outclass their opponents and finish a near-perfect tournament campaign.

Lepcha, in a post-match interview, reflected on what the victory meant to him and the club.

“It’s hard to describe this feeling. We have been chasing this moment for years. To finally win something as a team, it’s incredibly emotional,” said the captain.

CAT’s journey has been a long one. Starting in the B Division with limited resources and a team filled with young, unproven talent, Lepcha said CAT focused on the future rather than instant results.

“Most clubs already had established players. I was leading a very young side. We lost a lot of matches early on, but we stuck to our process. It was a future investment. We progressed from B to A Division, reached back-to-back finals in 2024 and 2025, and now we finally have a trophy to show.”

CAT’s tournament was built on consistency and intelligent planning. They topped the league table, winning six of their seven matches, and dominated the playoffs.

“Coming into this Snowlion T20 League, we had intricately studied the conditions and tactically selected our squad. Each player had a specific role and our strategies were tailored for each opponent. We didn’t look too far ahead. We just focused on one game at a time.”

In the final, CAT’s bowling unit led by the spin duo of Akshay Saini (3-17) and Lepcha (2-12) dismantled Irises Cricket Club for 73 runs in 18.2 overs.

Chasing a modest target, CAT came out firing. Hardeep Singh blazed his way to 35 off just 10 balls (4 fours, 3 sixes), setting the tone for a comfortable chase. CAT raced to 75-3 in just 8.5 overs.

Having lost their previous final, the 2025 A Division title clash, also against Irises, CAT’s win was sweet redemption.

Then, the team missed the presence of their captain, Lepcha, who has long been the driving force behind CAT. Known for his high standards, Lepcha is demanding but committed to bringing out the best in his players. And this time, the team rose to the occasion.

“We always believed we could be the best team in Sikkim. This win is not only for the players but also for the entire management and hardworking people behind CAT,” said Lepcha.

Founded in 1991, CAT had never tasted title success before this tournament. The club had often been on the fringes – semi-finalists, runners-up but never champions. Until now.

“We have come close before. Both our finals losses were tight games. Maybe it was nerves, maybe lack of experience. But this time, every player knew their role. We had clarity, calmness and a very strong team environment.”

For Lepcha, a veteran of Sikkim cricket, this victory ranks among his proudest moments.

“This is one of the most satisfying achievements of my career. I would put it right up there with our win over Rajasthan in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. For the club, this is the biggest moment so far,” said Lepcha, who is also the captain of Sikkim senior men’s team.

With the Snowlion T20 League title under their belt, CAT now sets its sights on other two top-tier tournaments in Sikkim.

“We are aiming to win the SICA A Division and the Vinod Pradhan Trophy next. More importantly, we want to continue inspiring the next generation of cricketers in Sikkim.”