Anvita Khammam Aces beat Palamuru Strikers in high-scoring TG20 opener
Anvita Khammam Aces defeated Palamuru Strikers by 20 runs in the TG20 opener at Hyderabad. Wafi Kachchhi’s 60 and Himateja’s unbeaten 59 powered the Aces to 237/5 before restricting the Strikers to 217/6 in a thrilling contest
Hyderabad: Anvita Khammam Aces kicked off the inaugural Sreenidhi University TG20 in style, overcoming a spirited challenge from Palamuru Strikers to register a 20-run victory at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here on Sunday night.
After posting a formidable 237/5, the Aces held their nerve to restrict the Strikers to 217/6 and seal the tournament’s first-ever win.
The Aces got off to a flying start as openers Wafi Kachchhi and G. Sai Krishna Reddy took on Nipun Reddy, smashing 15 runs in the opening over. The aggressive start set the tone for the innings, with both batters settling quickly and rotating the strike effectively. Wafi went on to register the first half-century of the inaugural Sreenidhi University TG20 season, reaching the milestone in just 24 deliveries.
Nipun Reddy eventually provided the breakthrough in the ninth over, dismissing the 19-year-old after a scintillating knock of 60 off 30 balls. Sai Krishna Reddy continued the momentum before falling to Rohit Rayudu in the 12th over after a well-made 52 from 32 balls. Mickil Jaiswal (9 off 6) and Prateek Reddy (25 off 17) chipped in as the Strikers briefly stemmed the flow of runs.
However, the Aces’ charge showed no signs of slowing down. K. Himateja produced a sensational late assault, hammering an unbeaten 59 off just 24 balls to provide the finishing touches. Captain C.V. Milind also played a valuable hand, scoring 18 off 10 deliveries, as the duo added crucial late runs to propel Anvita Khammam Aces to 237/5.
In reply, Palamuru Strikers made an explosive start through Vignesh Reddy and Chaitanya Reddy (35 off 28), who raced to 21 runs in the first two overs. Vignesh then shifted gears dramatically, smashing 23 runs in the third over to keep the Strikers ahead of the required rate.
He brought up a stunning half-century in just 17 balls and guided his side to 85/0 at the end of the powerplay. The opening stand of 119 runs was finally broken in the ninth over when Vignesh holed out to Wafi off Ved Reddy’s bowling after a spectacular 86 off 31 balls, including eight fours and seven sixes.
His dismissal triggered a collapse, with captain Pragnay Reddy (15 off 7) falling soon after, while Chaitanya Reddy was run out by Prateek Reddy. Afreedi Ahmed (16 off 15) and Pratheek Pawar (3 off 4) also fell as the Strikers lost momentum.
Aces skipper C.V. Milind then struck again, clean bowling Pratheek Pawar to tighten his side’s grip on the contest. Eventually, the Strikers were restricted to 217/6 as the Aces secured the first win of the Sreenidhi University TG20.
The scores: Anvita Khammam Aces 237/5 in 20 overs (Wafi Kachchhi 60, Sai Krishna Reddy 52, M. Ravi Kiran 2/51) beat Palamuru Strikers 217/6 in 20 overs (Vignesh Reddy 86, Chaitanya Reddy 35, Ved Reddy 2/42).
Player of the Match: Wafi Kachchhi.
