Letterkenny find Championship step too steep in difficult debut season

Letterkenny’s first season in the North West Championship proved to be a difficult learning experience, with the Donegal side finishing bottom of the table and suffering relegation after finding the step up in standard tougher than they had hoped.

There were moments when they showed they could compete, but those occasions were too infrequent to build any sustained momentum. Across the campaign, the gap in consistency, depth and overall quality was exposed, particularly against the division’s stronger sides.

Varun Tiwari finished as Letterkenny’s leading run-scorer with 352 runs at an average of 22.00, including a highest score of 76, while Ramees Machingal was close behind with 343 at 22.87.

Gopi Kurinji Siva contributed 220 runs and Sohel Shaik impressed during his limited appearances, scoring 203 runs at 29.00 and a strike-rate of 136.2. Shaik reached fifty twice and provided some much-needed attacking intent. Riyaz Bablu also hinted at what might have been with 165 runs in only six innings, including a fine 97, but too many of Letterkenny’s batters struggled to convert starts into substantial scores.

No player reached 400 runs and there were no centuries, highlighting the difficulties they had in putting together match-defining innings.

The bowling figures were even more revealing.

Raghuveer Velagapudi was the leading wicket-taker with 17, but they came at an average of 38.82. Vamsi Krishna Dasari claimed 12 wickets, while Neelansh Singh took nine.

Most of the attack struggled for both penetration and control, with several economy rates well above six runs per over. That often left Letterkenny chasing large totals or unable to defend competitive ones. There were isolated good spells, and Ninad Sushil Deshpande returned impressive figures in limited action, but overall the bowling unit found Championship batting line-ups difficult to contain.

Relegation will naturally be disappointing, but the experience should prove valuable.

Letterkenny now know exactly what is required at Championship level. The challenge is to use that knowledge constructively, strengthen both departments and ensure that when they return, they are better equipped to stay there.

For all the frustrations of 2026, simply reaching this level was an achievement. The next objective is making sure their next visit lasts much longer.

LETTERKENNY – TOP 10 BATTERS

1. Varun Tiwari – 352 runs, average 22.00, HS 76, 1 fifty  
2. Ramees Machingal – 343 runs, average 22.87, HS 66, 2 fifties  
3. G Kurinji Siva – 220 runs, average 16.92, HS 54, 1 fifty  
4. Sohel Shaik – 203 runs, average 29.00, HS 62, 2 fifties  
5. Neelansh Singh – 200 runs, average 12.50, HS 44  
6. Raghuveer Velagapudi – 174 runs, average 12.43, HS 40  
7. Riyaz Bablu – 165 runs, average 27.50, HS 97, 1 fifty  
8. Pranav Namdev Chavan – 134 runs, average 13.40, HS 25  
9. Rammohan Goud Sama – 132 runs, average 14.67, HS 49  
10. Muhammad Mutasim Khalid – 120 runs, average 24.00, HS 53*, 1 fifty  

LETTERKENNY – TOP 10 BOWLERS

1. Raghuveer Velagapudi – 17 wickets, average 38.82, BBI 4-77  
2. Vamsi Krishna Dasari – 12 wickets, average 54.42, BBI 3-55  
3. Neelansh Singh – 9 wickets, average 42.67, BBI 3-60  
4. Muhammad Mutasim Khalid – 8 wickets, average 40.38, BBI 3-39  
5. Wasiq Riaz – 8 wickets, average 48.63, BBI 2-32  
6. Rammohan Goud Sama – 6 wickets, average 53.50, BBI 3-58  
7. Josten Johny – 6 wickets, average 58.83, BBI 3-49  
8. Pratham Sama – 4 wickets, average 70.75, BBI 2-32  
9. A Afridi – 4 wickets, average 101.00, BBI 1-25  
10. Ninad Sushil Deshpande – 3 wickets, average 12.33, BBI 2-22