Abhirath Reddy hits 99 as Hyderabad e-Champions beat Ranga Reddy Risers by six wickets

The Hyderabad e-Champions secured their second consecutive victory in the Sreenidhi University TG20 League on Thursday, defeating the Ranga Reddy Risers by six wickets at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. Driven by a dominant 99-run knock from Abhirath Reddy, the e-Champions successfully chased down a target of 196 runs with 12 balls to spare.

Earlier in the match, the Ranga Reddy Risers put up a competitive total of 195/4 in their allotted 20 overs. Openers Avanish Rao and Aditya Javvaji both scored half-centuries to lay a strong foundation. Avanish blazed his way to 53 runs off 25 balls, hitting a quick-fire fifty before falling in the eighth over to Shanmukha Ashwin, which broke a 72-run opening partnership.

Aaron contributed 35 runs off 26 balls before holing out to Akhil Rathod in the 12th over. Aditya Javvaji then anchored the middle overs, scoring 58 runs off 35 balls. He stitched an 84-run partnership with Risers captain Tanay Thyagarajann, who made 31 runs off 22 balls. However, e-Champions bowler Pranav struck back in the penultimate over, dismissing both Tanay and Aditya to restrict the Risers to 195/4. Pranav finished with bowling figures of 2/27.

In response, the Hyderabad e-Champions endured a difficult start to their chase. B. Punnaiah dismissed Sai Vikas Reddy for just 3 runs in the third over, and Aryan Cariappa removed Anvith Reddy for 4 runs in the fifth over, leaving the e-Champions struggling at 43/2.

Abhirath Reddy then took control of the innings, steadying the chase with a crucial 55-run partnership alongside Shanmukha Ashwin. Ashwin played a quick cameo of 30 runs off 18 balls before being dismissed by Arun Kumar in the 10th over.

Abhirath continued his aggressive batting but was unfortunately dismissed just one run short of a century, holing out on 99 runs off 45 balls in the 16th over. His dismissal left the e-Champions needing 38 runs from the final 28 deliveries.

Yashveer Goud ensured there were no further setbacks for his team. Goud smashed three consecutive sixes off his first three deliveries, finishing unbeaten on 30 runs off just 13 balls to guide the Hyderabad e-Champions to 198/4 in 18 overs. Abhirath Reddy was named the player of the match for his match-winning innings.