Abhirath Reddy’s 99 powers Hyderabad e-Champions to thrilling win in TG20 League

Hyderabad e-Champions defeated Ranga Reddy Risers by six wickets in the Sreenidhi University TG20 League. Abhirath Reddy’s 99 off 45 balls led the chase of 196, with key support from Shanmukha Ashwin and Yashveer Goud in a dominant finish

Hyderabad: Hyderabad e-Champions defeated Ranga Reddy Risers by six wickets for their second win in as many matches in the Sreenidhi University TG20 League cricket championship at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Thursday.

Half-centuries from Avanish Rao (53 off 29) and Aditya Javvaji (58 off 35) helped the Risers post 195/4 in 20 overs. In response, Abhirath Reddy’s sensational knock (99 off 45), along with cameos from Shanmukha Ashwin (30 off 18) and Yashveer Goud (30 n.o. off 13), ensured that the e-Champions secured the win with 12 balls to spare.

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Risers’ Avanish blazed his way to a 25-ball fifty. The southpaw eventually fell in the eighth over as Shanmukha Ashwin broke a 72-run stand for the e-Champions. In an attempt to up the ante, Aaron (35 off 26) succumbed soon after, holing out in the 12th over to give Akhil Rathod his first wicket.

After steadying the ship, Aditya added further impetus to the innings along with Risers captain Tanay Thyagarajann (31 off 22), stitching an 84-run partnership.

However, Pranav struck back to dismiss Tanay and Aditya in the penultimate over, helping the e-Champions restrict their opponents to 195/4.

The e-Champions had a shaky start to the chase, with B. Punnaiah dismissing Sai Vikas Reddy (3 off 7) in the third over. Anvith Reddy (4 off 6) did not trouble the scorers much either, as he was dismissed by Aryan Cariappa in the fifth over, putting his side in a spot of bother at 43/2.

Abhirath stood tall under pressure as he stitched a 55-run stand off 31 balls with Shanmukha, bringing his side back into the contest. The latter’s exciting cameo came to an abrupt end, with Arun Kumar getting the better of him in the 10th over.

Unfortunately, Abhirath fell one short of his century, holing out on 99 in the 16th over. With the e-Champions still needing 38 runs in the last 4.4 overs, Yashveer Goud (30 n.o. off 13) ensured there were no further hiccups, smashing three consecutive sixes in his first three deliveries.

The scores:
Ranga Reddy Risers 195/4 in 20 overs (Aditya Javvaji 58, Avanish Rao 53, Pranav Varma 2/27) lost to Hyderabad e-Champions 198/4 in 18 overs (Abhirath Reddy 99, Shanmukha Ashwin 30, Yashveer Goud 30 n.o.).
Player of the match: Abhirath Reddy.