Ajay bags four and Anvith, Ganesh hammer half-centuries to power e-Champions home

A fine bowling performance by Ajay Dev Goud helped Hyderabad e-Champions kick off their campaign with a comprehensive seven-wicket victory against Palamuru Strikers in the Hyderabad Cricket Association’s TG20 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on Tuesday.

In a battle of centuries, Tilak trumps Aman and leads Medak to 3-wicket win over Warangal

Ajay Dev Goud spearheaded the bowling attack for the e-Champions with figures of 4 for 21 to bundle out Strikers for 141 in 19.4 overs. In the run chase, half-centuries from Anvith Reddy (53 off 42) and Ganesh Gadugu (50 off 30) guided their team home to help them register their first win of the season.

Strikers got off the blocks quickly with Vignesh Reddy at his attacking best, taking down Kappaganti Sriniketh for 21 runs in the third over to set a strong platform for his side. However, Yashveer Goud put a halt to the proceedings after cleaning up Chaitanya Reddy (5 off 7 balls) in the fourth over.

Ajay pick of the bowlers

With Vignesh (30 off 17 balls with four boundaries and a six) succumbing to Pranav Varma in the following over, the Strikers lost momentum, amassing 50 for 2 in the first six overs. Pragnay Reddy (9 off 12 balls) fell soon after in the ninth over with Ganesh taking a brilliant catch off Ajay’s bowling.

Rohit Rayudu added some impetus to the innings with a quickfire 35 off 22 with three fours and two sixes before Sriniketh sent him back to the dugout in the twelfth over. Apart from Pratheek Pawar’s 22-ball 30 which contained a four and three sixes, Strikers weren’t able to regain their early momentum as they lost wickets at regular intervals.

Ajay was the pick of the bowlers, bagging figures 4 for 21 – the first four-wicket haul of the tournament – with his clever variations, while crafty spinners Yashveer (2 for 15) and Pranav (2 for 25) scalped a couple of wickets each. Palamuru Strikers lost their last five wickets for a mere 20 runs as they were bundled out for 141 in 19.4 overs.

Rishab strikes early on

It was a tricky start to the chase from the e-Champions as Rishab Baslas delivered a wicket-maiden in the second over, dismissing Sai Vikas Reddy (1 off 4 balls). Captain Abhirath Reddy led the counterpunch, hammering 24 runs in the third over. He scored a blistering 13-ball 35, which included 5 fours and a couple of sixes before holing out to Rishab.

Ravi Kiran also got the better of Yashveer in the fifth over, keeping the e-Champions in check at 55 for 3 at the end of the powerplay. With their side in a spot of bother, Anvith and Ganesh then consolidated the run chase, keeping the scoreboard ticking to ensure the required run rate remained in control before finishing the game in a flurry.

Anvith and Ganesh finish the task

The two finished the job for their side rather comprehensively in the end, stitching together an unbeaten 92-run stand of 60 balls. Both batters took their time before unleashing a range of strokes, registering half centuries with Anvith scoring 53 off 42 balls with four boundaries and two over it, while Ganesh scored 50 off 30 balls with five fours and two sixes to guide their side home to a commanding seven-wicket win in their opening clash.

Brief scores: Palamuru Strikers 141 in 19.4 overs (Rohit Rayudu 35, Vignesh Reddy 30, Pratheek Pawar 30; Ajay Dev Goud 4/21, V Yashveer Goud 2/15, P Varma 2/25) lost to Hyderabad e-Champions 147/3 in 15.4 overs (Anvith Reddy 53 not out, Ganesh Gadugu 50 not out, Abhirath Reddy 35; Rishab Baslas 2/17).

Player of the match: Anvith Reddy.