Yuvan & Anjaneyulu script Kakinada Kings’ 71-run win over Vizag Lions in APL opener

M Yuvan hammered a blistering half-century, and M Anjaneyulu made an instant impact as Kakinada Kings reigned over Simhadri Vizag Lions in the inaugural match of the Andhra Premier League (APL) 2026 at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday night. Kakinada Kings cruised to a comfortable 71-run win to log in full points from the encounter.

Vizag Lions skipper Ricky Bhui won the toss and had no hesitation in inviting the Kings to bat first. But the move backfired badly as, thereafter, nothing went well for the Lions.

Kakinada Kings openers M Abhishek and P Arjun Tendulkar got their side off to a flying start with a 37-run partnership in 4 overs before Abhishek (27; 15 balls, 3×4, 1×6) fell to Tripurana Vijay.

However, there was no respite for the Lions as P Tapaswi joined Tendulkar and the Kings continued with their merry ways. The duo added 38 for the second wicket off 25 balls before Tendulkar (24; 19 balls, 1×4 1×6) was trapped leg before by P Girinath Reddy.

Kakinada Kings spinner M Anjaneyulu took three for 25 as Simhadri Vizag Lions were bowled out for 148

Kings’ skipper G Manish joined Tapaswi and kept the momentum going. Manish and Tapaswi added another 35 to the total of 19 balls as the Kings crossed the 100-run mark in 10.5 overs.

Tapaswi was caught by Vijay off left-arm spinner B Vinay Kumar after making a 27-ball 38 with three fours and two sixes.

What followed was the best part of the Kings’ innings as Manish and newman M Yuvan took on the rival attack. Yuvan went after the bowlers as he took a heavy toll of the Lions’ attack. The duo added 62 off 35 balls with Yuvan doing the bulk of the scoring. He contributed 44 to the partnership. However, Manish had to retire hurt after making 28 off 17 balls with three fours and six.

KP Sai Rahul (1) lasted just two balls and was caught by Bhui off CH Dilli Ganesh. But Yuvan was unstoppable. He reached his half-century off 29 balls with two fours and five sixes.

Yuvan and M Lekhaz Reddy hammered the bowlers to all parts of the park as they rattled off a 14-ball 42 to help Kakinada Kings reach 219 for five in 20 overs.

Yuvan remained unbeaten on a 34-ball 64 with two fours and six sixes. Lekhaz was unconquered on a 7-ball 23 with two four and two sixes.

Simhadri Vizag Lions openers N Himakar and K Haneesh Veera R got off their side to a blistering start as the Lions looked to blast their way past the Kings. The duo added 39 off 17 balls before Haneesh (19) was caught by Sai Rahul at mid-off of mediumpacer M Hari Shankar R. Anjanyelu then bowled Himakar (20) to reduce the Lions to two for 40.

Ricky Bhui

Thereafter, it was a uphill climb for the Lions as they failed to build up a sustainable partnership. They lost wickets at regular intervals and were soon reduced to six for 73. Ricky Bhui made a 17-ball 32 with two fours and three sixes and down the order T Vijay topscored with a 25-ball 33 with four boundaries but their efforts were not sufficient.

The Lions collapsed to 148 as Impact Player Anjaneyulu finished with three for 25 off his four overs, while Giri Prasad and Manish took two wickets apiece. Tapaswi had a good day on the field as he pouched three catches.

Brief scores: Kakinada Kings 219 for 5 in 20 Overs (M Abhishek 27, P Arjun Tendulkar 24, G Manish 28, P TAPASWI 38, M Yuvan 64 not out, M Lekhaz Reddy 23 not out) beat Simhadri Vizag Lions 148 in 18.4 overs (Ricky Bhui 32, T Vijay 33; M Anjaneyulu 3/25, G Manish 2/22, V Giri Prasad 2/35).