Published: July 8, 2026 at 4:50 pm
Aaron George rose like a phoenix when his team need him the most. The India Under-19 player, who has had a quiet season by any standards, helped Ranga Reddy Risers script one of the most remarkable turnarounds of the Hyderabad Cricket Association’s TG20.
He fashioned the miracle that Ranga Reddy Risers needed to seal a playoff berth with a commanding 161-run victory over Warangal Warriors in the final league-stage game of the season at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on Tuesday night.
Needing to win by at least 130 runs to overhaul Nalgonda Knights on net run rate, the Risers did even better, setting up an Eliminator clash against Karimnagar Diamonds on July 9, while bringing the Knights’ campaign to an end.
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Risers suffered a double setback as they were reduced to one for two by the marauding Salman Khan. But they recovered well to post a mammoth 252 for 6, courtesy a record-equalling 163-run third-wicket partnership between Aaron George (91 off 43 balls with 12 fours and four sixes) and Aditya Javvaji (77 off 36 balls with eight fours and five sixes), the joint-highest partnership of the season.
Salman Khan of Warangal Warriors celebrates the wicket of Avanish Rao of Ranga Reddy Risers during their HCA’s TG20 match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on Tuesday night. Salman bagged the first five-wicket haul in the tournament. Pics: Vipin Pawar / CREIMAS
Venkat Karthik’s unbeaten 51 provided the finishing flourish before stand-in skipper Nitin Sai Yadav (3/10) and Hitesh Yadav (3/18) spearheaded a ruthless bowling display that bundled out Warangal Warriors for just 91 in 12.3 overs to complete a memorable qualification. For the Warangal Warriors, Salman Khan’s 5/44 was the first five-for in the tournament’s history.
The playoffs begin on July 9 with the Eliminator between Ranga Reddy Risers and Karimnagar Diamonds, followed by Qualifier 1 between unbeaten Hyderabad E-Champions and Khammam Aces. Qualifier 2 will be played on July 10 with the winner advancing to face the Qualifier 1 winner in the final on July 12.
Salman on the rampage
Risers won the toss and chose to bat first, but endured a dreadful start, losing two wickets in Salman Khan’s opening over. However, they mounted a sensational recovery through Aaron George and Aditya Javvaji.
Aaron counterattacked immediately, smashing four boundaries and a six in the third over before continuing his assault with three successive boundaries in the fourth. At the other end, Aditya found his rhythm in style, taking Kranthi apart for a six and three fours in the fifth over.
The pair erased the early setback with a blistering partnership, powering the Risers to 78 for 2 at the end of the powerplay. Aaron reached his half-century in just 20 balls, while Aditya followed soon after with a 25-ball fifty.
Aaron and Aditya on the rampage
The duo showed no signs of slowing down after the powerplay, punishing every loose delivery to keep the scoring rate soaring. Aaron struck another six and a four off Kranthi before Aditya took charge against Sai Dhanush with back-to-back boundaries and later added another four.
Aaron then cleared the ropes once again off Murugan Abhishek as the unbeaten third-wicket partnership swelled rapidly, taking the Risers to a commanding 126 for 2 at the halfway mark with both set batters firmly in control.
Aditya Javvaji of Ranga Reddy Risers plays a shot during his 77-run knock
Risers continued their relentless assault through Aaron and Aditya Javvaji. The pair rotated the strike smartly, with Aditya taking Sai Dhanush apart for three sixes and a four in a 27-run 11th over.
Aaron then joined the party by smashing a six off Sunkari Dheeraj as Risers surged to 163 for 2 after 12 overs. However, Salman Khan briefly pulled things back for the opposition by dismissing Aditya and Gnana Prakash Reddy (2 off 2 balls) in the same over, reducing the Risers to 167 for 4.
Aaron continued to anchor the innings before falling for a superb 91, while S Venkat Karthik (51 not out of 26 balls with three fours and four sixes) ensured the momentum never dipped. Venkat hammered Sunkari Dheeraj for two sixes and a four in the 16th over before adding another six in the next over.
Despite Salman Khan removing Nitin Sai Yadav (1 off 2 ball), Venkat and C Hitesh Yadav (23 not out of 8 balls with three fours and a six) finished strongly, with Hitesh striking a six and three boundaries in the closing overs. The Risers piled on 89 runs in the final eight overs to finish with a formidable 252 for 6, capping off a dominant batting display.
S Venkat Karthik of Ranga Reddy Risers plays a shot during his unbeaten 51
Warriors fail to come to the party
With a steep target to chase, Warangal Warriors suffered an early setback when Rishiket Sisodia (8 off 4 balls) fell in the opening over, but Harshit Choudhary (15 off 11 balls) and Aman Rao Perala (31 off 17 balls with six fours) responded with an aggressive counterattack.
Harshit struck a six and two boundaries before Aman took charge, smashing six fours in a sensational over from Aryan Cariappa to shift the momentum. Murugan Abhishek (10 off 8 balls) then joined Aman to keep the scoreboard moving as the Warriors recovered to 62 for 2 at the end of the powerplay.
Nitin, Hitesh finish off Warriors
The recovery, however, was short-lived as Risers struck in quick succession after the powerplay. Nitin Sai Yadav dismissed the dangerous Aman before Murugan was run out in the same over, reducing the Warriors to 65 for 4. Hitesh Yadav then tightened the screws by removing Bhavesh Seth (7 off 6 balls), leaving the batting side reeling at 73 for 5 after eight overs.
With the required rate climbing rapidly, the Warriors’ lower order failed to mount any resistance against the disciplined Risers attack. Nitin returned to bowl a miserly spell, dismissing Sunkari Dheeraj (1 off 1 ball) via a run-out before clean bowling Adi Mani Kiran (7 off 11 balls).
Nitin Sai Yadav of Ranga Reddy Risers celebrates the wicket of Aman Rao Perala, captain of Warangal Warriors, on Tuesday night
Hitesh then produced a decisive over, removing Karri Sai Dhanush (0 off 5 balls) and Mudassar Hussain Md (0 off 2 balls) off successive deliveries as the innings slipped further to 89 for 9.
Salman Khan (9 off 8 balls) attempted a late fightback with a boundary, but Nitin sealed the innings by claiming his third wicket in the 13th over. The Warriors were bowled out for just 91 in 12.3 overs, losing their final eight wickets for only 26 runs.
Brief scores: Ranga Reddy Risers 252 for 6 in 20 overs (Aaron George 91, Aditya Javvaji 77, S Venkat Karthik 51 not out, C. Hitesh Yadav 23 not out; Salman Khan 5/44) beat Warangal Warriors 91 in 12.3 overs (Aman Rao Perala 31, Harshit Choudhary 15, Nitin Sai Yadav 3/10, Hitesh Yadav 3/18).
Player of the match: Aaron George
