Hyderabad E-Champions Finish League Stage Unbeaten, Secure Top Spot with Five-Wicket Win Over Anurag Nalgonda Knights

Hyderabad E-Champions complete unbeaten league campaign with convincing chase

Hyderabad E-Champions extended their flawless run in the Hyderabad Cricket Association's Sreenidhi University TG20, defeating Anurag Nalgonda Knights by five wickets in Monday's second match to finish the league stage unbeaten and secure the top position in the standings.

Vaishnav Reddy starred with an explosive unbeaten 41 off just 16 deliveries, while Abhirath Reddy (39 off 20), Anvith Reddy (40 off 30) and Ajay Dev Goud (34* off 24) played crucial roles in chasing down a target of 188 with five balls to spare.

Earlier, Shanmukha Ashwin delivered a match-winning spell of 4/19, supported by Ajay Dev Goud (2/39) and Pranav Varma (2/23), to restrict Anurag Nalgonda Knights to 187/9 despite a fighting 53 off 32 balls from Varun Goud.

With the victory, Hyderabad E-Champions have confirmed first place and will face Anvita Khammam Aces in Qualifier 1 on Thursday, July 9. Meanwhile, the Knights' qualification hopes now depend on their net run rate and the outcomes of the remaining league fixtures between EIPL & eleve Karimnagar Diamonds and Palamuru Strikers, and Ranga Reddy Risers against Warangal Warriors.

Knights recover after middle-order collapse

Anurag Nalgonda Knights made a bright start through openers Jashwanth Mote and Gaurav Reddy, who added 42 runs for the opening wicket. Gaurav scored a quick 25 off 12 balls before Pranav Varma trapped him LBW, while Nitish Reddy joined Mote as the Knights reached 65/1 at the end of the powerplay.

The momentum shifted after the fielding restrictions as Hyderabad E-Champions' spin attack tightened its grip. Shanmukha Ashwin removed Nitish Reddy and the dangerous Mote, while Pranav Varma dismissed captain Rahul Buddhi to leave the batting side struggling at 101/4 after 12 overs.

Varun Goud then produced a brilliant counterattack, smashing two sixes and two fours in a 23-run 16th over. However, Hyderabad E-Champions struck back immediately. Ashwin dismissed Md Arfaz Ahmed and Aniketh Reddy in the same over before Ajay Dev Goud removed Divesh Singh and Varun Goud, reducing the Knights from 147/5 to 155/8.

Harshwardhan Singh remained unbeaten on 23 off 11 balls and combined with Nishanth Saranu (8* off 4) to add 32 runs in the final two overs, helping the Knights post a competitive total of 187/9.

Explosive finish powers E-Champions home

Hyderabad E-Champions began the chase aggressively as Abhirath Reddy dominated the early overs with a flurry of boundaries. Together with Sai Vikas Reddy, he guided the side to 43 runs in the opening four overs before Aniketh Reddy claimed the breakthrough.

Sai Vikas continued the attacking approach before Md Arfaz Ahmed dismissed him immediately after the powerplay. Anvith Reddy and Ganesh Gadugu rebuilt steadily, rotating the strike effectively while finding regular boundaries to keep the chase on course.

Ganesh departed before the halfway stage, while Nishanth Saranu struck again by removing Pranav Varma in the 12th over to leave Hyderabad E-Champions at 107/4.

Anvith Reddy and Ajay Dev Goud steadied the innings before accelerating. Ajay struck two sixes and two fours, while Vaishnav Reddy completely changed the complexion of the chase with a breathtaking assault in the 18th over, smashing four sixes off Ilyaan Sathani.

Ajay added another boundary in the penultimate over before Vaishnav sealed the victory in style with another maximum as Hyderabad E-Champions reached 189/5 in 19.1 overs to preserve their unbeaten record.

Player of the Match

Shanmukha Ashwin was named Player of the Match for his outstanding spell of 4/19, which played a decisive role in restricting Anurag Nalgonda Knights despite their strong finish.

Brief Scores

About the Tournament

The Hyderabad Cricket Association's Sreenidhi University TG20 is one of Telangana's premier domestic T20 competitions, featuring leading franchise teams and emerging cricketers competing for the championship title.

Official Website: Hyderabad Cricket Association

(Inputs from Press Release)