Anvita Khammam Aces Defeat Palamuru Strikers in TG20 Opener at Hyderabad
Anvita Khammam Aces secured a 20-run victory over Palamuru Strikers in the high-scoring opening match of the Sreenidhi University TG20 tournament at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday night. The Aces posted a formidable total of 237/5 before restricting the Strikers to 217/6 in a thrilling contest.
The Aces got off to an explosive start after being put in to bat. Openers Wafi Kachchhi and G. Sai Krishna Reddy targeted bowler Nipun Reddy, scoring 15 runs in the very first over. Kachchhi went on to register the tournament's first half-century, reaching the milestone in 24 deliveries. He was eventually dismissed by Nipun Reddy in the ninth over for 60 runs off 30 balls.
Sai Krishna Reddy kept up the scoring rate, contributing 52 runs off 32 balls before falling to Rohit Rayudu in the 12th over. Following brief contributions from Mickil Jaiswal (9) and Prateek Reddy (25), K. Himateja unleashed a late-innings assault. Himateja smashed an unbeaten 59 off just 24 deliveries, while captain C.V. Milind added 18 off 10 balls to take the Aces to 237/5. M. Ravi Kiran took 2/51 for the Strikers.
In response, Palamuru Strikers began their chase aggressively. Openers Vignesh Reddy and Chaitanya Reddy scored 21 runs off the first two overs. Vignesh Reddy then dominated the third over, hitting 23 runs to bring up his half-century in just 17 balls. The duo guided the Strikers to 85/0 by the end of the powerplay.
The opening partnership reached 119 runs before Ved Reddy broke the stand in the ninth over, dismissing Vignesh Reddy for a spectacular 86 off 31 balls, which included eight fours and seven sixes.
Vignesh's dismissal triggered a batting collapse for the Strikers. Captain Pragnay Reddy was dismissed for 15, and Chaitanya Reddy was run out by Prateek Reddy for 35. Afreedi Ahmed (16) and Pratheek Pawar (3) were also dismissed cheaply, with Aces skipper Milind clean bowling Pawar to seal the game. The Strikers were ultimately held to 217/6, with Ved Reddy finishing with bowling figures of 2/42.
