Published: June 26, 2026 at 7:53 pm
Gaurav Reddy and Nitish Reddy shared a century partnership which set up Nalgonda Knights’ commanding 91-run win over Warangal Warriors in the Hyderabad Cricket Association’s (HCA) TG20 tournament at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad, on Friday evening.
A sensational 143-run stand between Gaurav Reddy and Nitish Reddy helped Nalgonda Knights amass 259/5, the joint-highest team total of the tournament, and the team complemented their batting brilliance with a disciplined bowling effort to bundle out the Warriors for 168 in 14 overs, sealing a comprehensive all-round triumph.
Gaurav and Nitish on a run-riot
Being put into bat first, the Knights were dealt an early blow as Pranav Suryadevara (4 off 5 balls) was dismissed by Md Abdul Malik in the first over. The setback didn’t restrain Gaurav Reddy (81 off 33 balls with four boundaries and seven sixes) and Nitish Reddy (80 off 42 balls with 10 fours and four sixes) with both batters executing a brutal counterpunch to add impetus to their innings.
Patkuri Nitish Reddy of Anurag Nalgonda Knights plays a shot against Warangal Warriors at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on Friday evening. Pics: Sumeet Parmar / CREIMAS
Finding boundaries at will, they scored 75 runs in the next five overs to help the Knights post 83 for 1 in the powerplay. There was no respite for the bowlers in the middle overs either. Gaurav dismantled the bowlers and blazed his way to a 19-ball fifty, while his partner scored his half-century in 27 balls, as the two stitched together a blistering partnership to put their team in the ascendancy.
Mudassar Hussain gave Warriors the much-needed breakthrough, dismissing Gaurav in the 12th over. The scalp brought an end to the 143-run stand of 65 balls. However, Nitish continued the onslaught alongside Rahul Buddhi (31 off 18 balls with two fours and two sixes) as the two combined for 44 off 21 balls.
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Warriors seemingly pulled things back as they got rid of Nitish and Rahul in successive overs at the death. Despite the double blow, Knights lower order made sure they made most of the foundation laid, with Arfaz Ahmed (33 off 14 balls with four fours and two sixes) and Divesh Singh (18 not out off 7 balls with two fours and a six) executing their roles as finishers. The pair provided the ideal finish, notching 49 in 18 balls to help their side post 259 for 5.
Nalgonda keep Warangal batters in check
Warangal Warriors were off to a rapid start in the run chase. Aman Rao survived a scare when he was on 10. With the batting side rollicking along, Nishanth Saranu delivered crucial twin strikes as he dismissed Harshit Choudhary (10 off 7 balls) and Rishiket Sisodia (0 off 1 ball) in consecutive deliveries.
Nishanth Saranu of Anurag Nalgonda Knights bowls during their match against Warangal Warriors
Aman continued to fight with his blitzkrieg knock, scoring 46 off 15 balls, all his runs coming off boundaries, before he fell to Arfaz in the fifth over. In an attempt to keep up with the required run rate, Murugan Abhishek blasted his way to a quickfire 44 off 19 balls with three fours and four sixes, and Bhavesh Seth (22 off 10 balls) and Mani Kiran (16 off 10 balls) produced handy cameos alongside him.
Despite the flurry of boundaries, the required rate continued to climb as the Knights kept striking at regular intervals. Nishanth Saranu returned to remove Abhishek, while Varun Goud tightened the screws in the middle overs with two quick wickets, dismissing Shaunak Kulkarni (4 off 6 balls) and Md Asif Mansoori (5 off 8 balls) in the 13th over to leave the Warriors reeling at 158 for 8.
With little batting left, Aniketh Reddy wrapped up the innings in style. After accounting for Mudassar Hussain (5 off 4 balls), he removed Pallepati Kranthi (5 off 3 balls) in the final over to complete the clean-up as the Warriors were bowled out for 168 in 14 overs. The Knights registered a commanding 91-run victory, underlining their batting firepower and disciplined bowling performance in a comprehensive all-round display.
Brief scores: Nalgonda Knights 259 for five in 20 overs (Gaurav Reddy 81, Nitish Reddy 80, Arfaz Ahmed 33, Rahul Buddhi 31; Abdul Malik 2/51) beat Warangal Warriors 168 in 14 overs (Aman Rao 46, Murugan Abhishek 44, B Seth 22; Varun Goud 3/10, Nishanth Saranu 3/42, Aniketh Reddy 2/63)
Player of the match: Nitish Reddy
