Published: July 14, 2026 at 9:14 pm
Ever since he made his first-class debut, Tanmay Dharmachand Agarwal has been a prolific run-getter for Hyderabad. Evan at 31 years of age, the diminutive Agarwal has not lost his hunger for runs. The flamboyant opener garnered 475 runs from nine innings, including three centuries, for Karimnagar Diamonds in the inaugural HCA’s TG20 tournament that concluded at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday night.
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Agarwal finished with an average of 52.77 with a strike rate of 195.47, slamming 47 fours and 29 sixes in the tournament. He was the second highest run-getter of the tournament after champions Hyderabad E-Champions skipper Abhirath Reddy, who scored 549 runs from 10 matches. Karimnagar finished fourth in the tournament.
Tanmay struck centuries against Warangal (133 off 61 balls), Palamuru Strikers (109 off 58 balls) and Ranga Reddy Risers (137 off 61 balls).
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“Personally, I feel great, but I also feel bad that we could not win the trophy. Nevertheless, it was a highly satisfying tournament. My experience helped me to strike a balance between skill and fitness. Nowadays I work a lot on mental fitness, and I should give credit to Pradeep Agarwal (my mental trainer) who always worked on this aspect. I am able to maintain calmness in a pressure situation. This has made me a better and fitter cricketer,” said Agarwal, who has scored over 5402 First Class runs from 73 matches. Making his debut against Goa in the 2014-15 season, the combative opener has been the leading run-scorer for Hyderabad.
“I am actually enjoying my batting more. There are no expectations or pressure. My focus has always been to get runs for Hyderabad. I had a very good season in 2024-25 where I scored over 900 runs. I had entertained hopes of playing for the country, but I failed in the crucial Duleep Trophy matches that was a big blow for me. That has not stopped my love for the game, and I continue to enjoy batting for Hyderabad. I am sure a few players may play in the IPL in future. This has opened the doors for them,” he said.
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Talking about Hyderabad as a team, Agarwal said they have a good squad. “We have a good set of players who are capable of winning the championship title. Last year we did extremely well in the T20 Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament, and we were close to winning the title, but we lost our way during crucial times. This TG20 tournament is the right platform for young players to excel and stake their claim for a place in the Hyderabad team,” he said.
“The tournament was as good as any high-level tournament. I am not kidding. There were tough matches, big crowds and the pressure that is associated with big tournaments like IPL. Definitely, many young players have benefited from this tournament. There was competition and young players were eager to perform. It gave them new confidence, and I am sure this year we will have a new Hyderabad team,” the former Hyderabad skipper said.
Our priority is to win a title, says Tanmay
Agarwal said that he will continue to work hard for the Hyderabad team. “Our immediate priority is to win one title. I think it will come sooner or later. It is all about self-belief. I want to be part of the team that can be at the top of the table,” he said.
The left-handed opener added that he has been in good shape. “Nothing much has changed in my batting style but I’m mentally very strong. This has helped me to perform strongly with the bat. I’m able to adapt to the conditions and situations. I have evolved as a player. There is more awareness in my game,” he stated.
The free-flowing Agarwal has the distinction of scoring a triple century (366 runs off 181 balls against lowly Arunachal Pradesh) and century in each innings in a match (against Jammu and Kashmir) but his best was 123 against Assam in a lost cause. “It was challenging in the chase against Assam. I hit 123 runs off 154 balls (including 12 fours and a six) at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium but unfortunately, we could not win the match. It was a high-pressure match, but I could find my form,” Tanmay said.
The star batter is ready for the new season. “I’m all geared up for the new season. I would like my bat to talk,” he stated.
