Published: June 25, 2026 at 8:22 pm
M Abhirath Reddy missed out on a century by the narrowest of margins but his knock ensured full points for Hyderabad e-Champions as they defeated Ranga Reddy Risers by six wickets in the HCA’s TG20 on Thursday.
This was Hyderabad e-Champions’ second victory in as many matches as they maintain a clean slate but it is still very early days in the tournament.
Half centuries from Avanish Rao (53 off 29 balls with seven boundaries and two sixes) and Aditya Javvaji (58 off 35 balls with four fours and an equal number of sixes) helped the Risers post 195 for 4 in 20 overs.
Aditya Javvaji of Ranga Reddy Risers plays a shot against Hyderabad E-Champions at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on Thursday. Pics: Vipin Pawar / CREIMAS
In response, Abhirath Reddy’s sensational knock (99 off 45 balls which contained 10 fours and four sixes) along with cameos from Shanmukha Ashwin (30 off 18 balls with three sixes) and Yashveer Goud (30 not out of 13 balls with two fours and three sixes) ensured that e-Champions claimed victory with 12 balls to spare.
Keeping in tune with their starts in the tournament so far, the Risers openers laid the foundation for their side. Avanish did most of the heavy lifting alongside Aaron George as the two batters found boundaries with regularity to amass 62 runs in the powerplay.
Avinash and Aditya hit 50s
With the platform seemingly set for a big score, Avanish blazed his way to a 25-ball fifty. The southpaw eventually fell in the eighth over as Shanmukha Ashwin broke the 72-run stand for the e-Champions.
They pegged things back significantly since that dismissal, conceding only 23 runs in the next 3.4 overs. In an attempt to up the ante, Aaron (35 off 26 balls with three fours and a six) succumbed soon after, holing out in the twelfth to give Akhil Rathod his first scalp.
After steadying the ship for their side, Aditya added some impetus to the innings along with Risers’ captain Tanay Thyagarajan (31 off 22 balls with three sixes). The two stitched together an 84-run partnership, with Aditya leading the charge, as he notched his half-century in 31 balls.
Pranav Varma of Hyderabad E-Champions
The partnership witnessed clever strike rotation before the duo unleashed a range of strokes as they reconstructed the innings for the Risers. However, Pranav struck back to dismiss Tanay and Aditya in the penultimate over, helping the e-Champions to restrict their opponents to 195 for 4.
The e-Champions had a shaky start to the chase with B Punnaiah dismissing Sai Vikas Reddy (3 off 7 balls) in the third over. Anvith Reddy (4 off 6 balls) didn’t trouble the scores much either as he succumbed to Aryan Cariappa in the fifth over, putting his side in a spot of bother at 43 for 2.
Abhirath stands tall
Abhirath stood tall under pressure as he registered a 55-run stand of 31 balls alongside Shanmukha, bringing their side back into the contest. The latter’s exciting cameo came to an abrupt end with Arun Kumar getting the better of him in the 10th over.
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Abhirath continued to build on his blistering knock, finding boundaries at will as he led his side closer to the finish line. Unfortunately, he fell one short of his century, holing out on 99 in the sixteenth over. With the e-Champions still needing 38 runs in the last 4.4 overs, Yashveer Goud ensured there were no further hiccups for his side by smacking three consecutive sixes in his first three deliveries.
Yashveer Goud of Hyderabad E-Champions
His attacking intent settled the nerves as he combined with Ganesh Gadugu (unbeaten 25 off 19 balls with two fours and a six) for an unbeaten 42-run partnership in 16 deliveries. The two blitzed their way to lead the e-Champions to a comfortable victory and the bragging rights in the opening Hyderabad Derby of the season.
Brief scores: Ranga Reddy Risers 195/4 in 20 overs (Aditya Javvaji 58, Avanish Rao 53, Aaron George 35, Tanay Thyagarajan 31; Pranav Varma 2/27) lost to Hyderabad e-Champions 198/4 in 18 overs (M Abhirath Reddy 99, Shanmukha Ashwin 30, Yashveer Goud 30 not out, Ganesh Gadugu 25 not out).
Player of the match: Abhirath Reddy
