Brahmavara, February 2, 2026: The highly controversial HMC United Tennis Ball Cricket Trophy, which was halted midway due to disputes, concluded with a lucky draw (coin toss) on Monday to determine the winner and runners-up.

The third quarter-final match between Johnson and Panchajanya had ended in chaos, leading to the cancellation of the semi-finals and final. After prolonged discussions, the organisers conducted a coin toss at Manipal Inn Hotel in Udupi. As a result, Khushi Amar Panchajanya team emerged as champions and were awarded the trophy, while Bengaluru’s Jaya Karnataka team secured the runners-up position.

As part of the resolution, out of ₹40 lakh prize money,₹20 lakh was distributed equally among the four semi-finalist teams — Panchajanya, Jaya Karnataka, Izhaan Chaitanya Fizer H.M. Ekta, and Friends Bengaluru — with each receiving ₹5 lakh.

The tournament, organised by HMC United at Gandhi Maidan in Brahmavar from January 23 for three days, featured 16 selected teams. It had promised ₹25 lakh for the champions and ₹15 lakh for the runners-up, making it one of the biggest prize-money events in local tennis-ball cricket history.

Organiser Shakeel Honnala briefed the gathering on the tournament proceedings and the decisions taken to resolve the crisis. The event was attended by HMC United Honorary President K.P. Ibrahim Matapadi, former president Sanjeev Kotyan, The Universal Idol Chairman Shafi Ahmed, and other dignitaries.

The controversial end and the lucky draw resolution have left mixed reactions among players and fans, with many expressing disappointment over the tournament’s premature closure despite the massive prize pool.