Hyderabad E-Champions finish league stage unbeaten with win over Nalgonda Knights

Hyderabad E-Champions defeated Anurag Nalgonda Knights by five wickets to finish the Sreenidhi University TG20 League stage unbeaten and secure the top spot. Vaishnav Reddy, Shanmukha Ashwin, Abhirath Reddy and Ajay Dev Goud starred in the comprehensive victory

Hyderabad: Hyderabad E-Champions continued their unbeaten run in the Sreenidhi University TG20 League championship, defeating Anurag Nalgonda Knights by five wickets to finish the league stage unbeaten and seal the top spot in the standings at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here on Monday night.

Vaishnav Reddy starred with a blistering unbeaten 41 off just 16 balls, while Abhirath Reddy (39 off 20), Anvith Reddy (40 off 30) and Ajay Dev Goud (34 not out off 24) played key roles in the successful chase of 188. Earlier, Shanmukha Ashwin (4/19), Ajay Dev Goud (2/39) and Pranav Varma (2/23) restricted the Knights to 187/9 despite a fighting half-century from Varun Goud (53 off 32).

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While E-Champions have confirmed first place, the Knights’ qualification will now depend on their net run rate and the results of Monday’s two final league-stage fixtures – EIPL & eleve Karimnagar Diamonds vs Palamuru Strikers and Ranga Reddy Risers vs Warangal Warriors – ensuring the race for the playoffs goes right down to the final day.

E-Champions will now face Anvita Khammam Aces in Qualifier 1 on Thursday, July 9.

Hyderabad E-Champions fought back through their spinners after the powerplay. Shanmukha Ashwin dismissed Nitish before removing the dangerous Jashwanth Mote, while Pranav accounted for skipper Rahul Buddhi (11 off 12) to leave the Knights at 101/4 after 12 overs. Varun Goud held one end firm as the innings briefly lost momentum.

The Knights added 32 runs in the final two overs to finish on a competitive 187/9.

E-Champions got off to a flying start in the chase courtesy of Abhirath Reddy, who hammered four boundaries in the opening over before adding a six in the second. Alongside Sai Vikas Reddy, he powered the unbeaten side to 43 after four overs.

E-Champions lost momentum after the halfway stage despite reaching 92/3 in 10 overs. Anvith and Pranav Varma steadied the innings with a useful partnership, taking advantage of a wayward over from Divesh Singh that yielded two boundaries and two wides. However, Nishanth Saranu struck a crucial blow by dismissing Pranav in the 12th over, leaving E-Champions at 107/4.

Anvith and Ajay Dev Goud rebuilt patiently before accelerating in the closing stages. Ajay counter-attacked with two sixes and two fours, while Vaishnav Reddy exploded after Anvith’s dismissal, smashing four sixes in a sensational 26-run 18th over off Ilyaan Sathani.

Ajay chipped in with a boundary in the penultimate over before Vaishnav sealed the chase in style with another six, lifting the unbeaten E-Champions to a commanding 189/5 in 19.1 overs.

The scores: Anurag Nalgonda Knights 187/9 in 20 overs (Varun Goud 53, Jashwanth Mote 36, Shanmukha Ashwin 4/19, Ajay Dev Goud 2/39, Pranav Varma 2/23) lost to Hyderabad E-Champions 189/5 in 19.1 overs (A Vaishnav Reddy 41 not out, Anvith Reddy 40, Abhirath Reddy Mandadi 39, Ajay Dev Goud 34 not out, Nishanth Saranu 2/24). Player of the match: Shanmukha Ashwin.