Tanmay Agarwal’s century powers Karimnagar Diamonds to big TG20 League win
Captain Tanmay Agarwal struck a brilliant 109 to lead Karimnagar Diamonds to a commanding 73-run victory over Palamuru Strikers in the TG20 League. Shubham Sharma and Rathlavath Dinesh then starred with the ball as Diamonds climbed to third in the standings
Hyderabad: Captain Tanmay Agarwal led from the front with a splendid century (109, 58b, 11×4, 6×6) to guide Karimnagar Diamonds to a thumping 73-run win over Palamuru Strikers in the Sreenidhi University TG20 League cricket championship at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here on Tuesday.
Diamonds moved to third place after this win with eight points from seven games, while Strikers are seventh with three points from seven games.
Earlier, Tanmay’s brilliant century helped Karimnagar Diamonds, who were put into bat, post 216 for five in 20 overs.
Tanmay and Satwik Reddy (32, 22b, 6×4) put on 77 runs in 8.2 overs before the latter was dismissed by leg-spinner Ashwad Rajiv.
Then, a useful stand of 44 runs between Tanmay and Chandan Sahani (16, 14b, 2×4) took the score to 121 when Chandan was sent back in the 13th over.
Diamonds lost quick wickets to be reduced to 197 for five, but a late flourish by Narayana Teja (23, 8b, 2×4, 2×6) helped the team eventually post a challenging total.
For Strikers, Ashwad Rajiv (2/23) was the pick of the bowlers, while pacer Nishanth Reddy was the most expensive with figures of 4-0-66-1.
In reply, Strikers suffered quick blows and were reduced to 46 for five in 7.5 overs, with none of the top-order, including seasoned campaigner Rohit Rayudu (5), who was run out, and captain Pragnay Reddy (4), making an impact.
It was a disciplined bowling effort by Diamonds, and only a fighting 52-run stand for the sixth wicket between Samhith Reddy (67 n.o., 46b, 4×4, 5×6) and Shadab Ahmed (24, 16b, 3×4, 1×6) gave Strikers a chance to come back into the game before heavy rain forced a stoppage of play at 74 for five in 10.3 overs.
However, left-arm spinner Shubham Sharma bowled well to strike at regular intervals and finished with impressive figures of 4-0-16-3, which effectively spelt doom for Strikers as the innings lost its way. The team eventually finished at 143 for nine in 20 overs, even as pacer Rathlavath Dinesh (3/27) struck late blows.
The scores: Karimnagar Diamonds 216/5 in 20 overs (Tanmay Agarwal 109, Satwik Reddy 32, Ashwad Rajiv 2/23) bt Palamuru Strikers 143/9 in 20 overs (Samhith Reddy 67 n.o., Shadab Ahmed 24, Rathlavath Dinesh 3/27, Shubham Sharma 3/16).
