Published: July 5, 2026 at 10:47 am
Chandan Sahani’s brilliant half-century went in vain as Karimnagar Diamonds crashed to a seven-wicket loss against Hyderabad E-Champions, who continued their flawless run in the Hyderabad Cricket Association’s TG20 tournament.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DaYdHV7NGSL/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Chasing a competitive target of 187, the E-Champions produced a composed batting effort led by Vaishnav Reddy’s unbeaten 65 off 42 balls with four boundaries and two sixes, Sai Vikas Reddy’s attacking 36 and Pranav Varma’s unbeaten 38 to complete the chase with 11 balls to spare at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on Saturday night.
Chandan Sahani of Karimnagar Diamonds plays a shot against Hyderabad E-Champions in their TG20 match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on Saturday night. Pics: Vipin Pawar / CREIMAS
The comprehensive win further cemented E-Champions’ place at the top of the standings, while dealing a significant blow to Diamonds’ net run rate in the race for the playoffs.
Diamonds endured a nightmare start after electing to bat, slipping to 10 for 3 inside two overs. Debutant Dev Mehta struck twice in the opening over, removing Satwik Reddy (4 off 3 balls) before Tanmay Agarwal (0 off 1 ball) was run out, while Ajay Dev Goud dismissed Hrishikesh Simha (5 off 6 balls) in the next over.
Chandan to Karimnagar’s rescue
Chandan Sahani, who made a brilliant 55-ball 90 with seven fours and five sixes, then began the rebuilding job with a few boundaries, but E-Champions kept the pressure on to restrict the Diamonds to 36 for 3 at the end of the powerplay.
Sahani found support from Rahul Radesh (15 off 18 balls with one six) as the pair steadied the innings through the middle overs. Rahul broke the shackles with a six off Anvith Reddy before falling to Akhil Rathod, leaving the Diamonds poorly placed at 55 for 4.
Sahani, however, continued to anchor the innings, taking on Rathod with a six and two boundaries to guide the Diamonds to 57 for 4 at the halfway stage.
Vaishnav Reddy A of Hyderabad E-Champions made an unbeaten 65 to steer his side home by seven wickets
The momentum shifted decisively after the 10-over mark as Sahani and TVS Narayana Teja (45 off 29 balls with three fours and three sixes) launched a strong counterattack. Sahani struck consecutive boundaries and a six off Rathod before adding another six off Ajay Dev Goud, while Narayana Teja joined the assault with a six and a four.
Their aggressive stand lifted the Diamonds from 75 for 4 to 129 for 4 in five overs, putting E-Champions under pressure.
Although Rathod ended Sahani’s enterprising knock, Narayana Teja carried the charge into the death overs. He struck three sixes and two fours in the final five overs, while Harish Thakur (20 off 9 balls with two sixes) provided the finishing flourish with four sixes, including back-to-back maximums in the last over. Their late onslaught propelled Karimnagar Diamonds to a competitive 186 for 6 in 20 overs.
Hyderabad made positive start
The table toppers made a positive start despite losing Abhirath Reddy (26 off 16 balls with five fours) in the third over. Sai Vikas Reddy (36 off 17 balls with four fours and two sixes) counterattacked with a flurry of boundaries, including three fours and a six in Rathlavath Dinesh’s over, while Vaishnav Reddy settled in after a cautious start. The pair added 48 runs for the second wicket to power the E-Champions to 66 for 1 at the end of the powerplay.
Rahul Radesh and Rathlavath Dinesh of Karimnagar Diamonds celebrate the wicket of Abhirath Reddy Mandadi
Harish Thakur broke the stand by dismissing Sai Vikas, but Vaishnav quickly took charge. He found his rhythm with a six at the end of the seventh over before combining with Ganesh Gadugu (21 off 13 balls with a four and a six) to keep the scoreboard moving. Vaishnav then tore into Ashish Srivastav with two sixes and a four in the 10th over, taking Hyderabad E-Champions to a commanding 107 for 2 at the halfway stage.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaYMbJ6N7pQ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Vaishnav continued to dictate proceedings after the halfway mark, bringing up a fluent half-century in 33 balls while finding able support from Ganesh. The latter played a typically aggressive hand, striking a six off Satish Kumar before falling to Narayana Teja after a quickfire cameo. Unfazed, Vaishnav kept the scoreboard moving alongside Pranav Varma (38 not out off 21 balls with four fours and a six) as E-Champions advanced to 127 fir 3 after 12 overs.
Pranav Varma of Hyderabad E-Champions plays a shot against Karimnagar Diamonds
Pranav then provided the late acceleration with a blistering assault on Harish Thakur, smashing a six and three fours in a 20-run 15th over. Vaishnav anchored the innings brilliantly at the other end, rotating strike before finishing in style with a six off Rathlavath Dinesh in the 19th over to take E-Champions to a commanding 187 for 3 with 11 balls to play.
Brief scores: Karimnagar Diamonds 186 for 6 in 20 overs (Chandan Sahani 90, TVS Narayana Teja 45, H Thakur 20 not out; Akhil Rathod 2/50) lost to Hyderabad E-Champions 187 for 3 in 18.1 overs (Vaishnav Reddy 65 not out, Pranav Varma 38 not out, S Vikas Reddy 36, A Reddy 26, Ganesh Gadugu 21)
Player of the match: Vaishnav Reddy
