Girinath Reddy helps Simhadri Vizag Lions post a 59-run win over Royals of Rayalaseema

P Girinath Reddy’s all-round performance powered Simhadri Vizag Lions to a 59-run win over Royals of Rayalaseema in the Andhra Premier League 2026 at the YS Raja Reddy ACA Cricket Stadium in Kadapa on Friday night.

Asked to bat first, Simhadri Vizag Lions made a modest start as openers N Himakar and Ricky Bhui (12) added 37 off 26 balls before skipper Bhui was caught by Druva Kumar Reddy off Y Vasu.

But KH Veera Reddy joined Himakar and the duo made merry. They added 62 off just 29 balls before Himakar was caught by Saketh Ram off Pattan Sharief after making 47 off 27 balls with six fours and a six.

Veera Reddy then added 23 off 15 balls for the third wicket with K Maheep Kumar before the Saketh Ram and Pattan Sharief combination came into play again. Veera Reddy made a 22-ball 50 with four boundaries and four sixes.

B Vinay Kumar (1) did not last long as he was caught by GSP Teja off Sudarshan, but Maheep and Girinath Reddy took the score past the 150-run mark with a 32-run partnership off 21 balls. Maheep was caught by Ganesh off Pardhasaradhi after making 33 off 19 balls with four boundaries and a six.

Girinath then took charge of the proceedings and with M Dhanush for company, he powered Simhadri Vizag Lions past the 200-run mark. Girinath fell when the score was 209 but by then he had made a 25-ball 41 with four boundaries and two sixes.

Dhanush remained unbeaten on a 13-ball 28 with two fours and an equal number of sixes as Simhadri Vizag Lions posted 217 for six off 20 overs on the board. Pattan Sharief took two for 21 for Royals of Rayalaseema.

In reply, the Royals of Rayalaseema lost openers M Vamsi Krishna (0) and Ch Sandeep (1) with just three on the board. Vamsi was trapped leg before by T Vijay and Sandeep was run out by the Girinath/Ricky Bhui combo.

However, S Druva Kumar Reddy and GSP Teja bailed their side out with a 92-run partnership for the third wicket. The duo played steady cricket and ensured that there were no more hiccups early on. They took 59 balls to get those runs.

When the going looked good, Shaik Kamil struck by having Druva Kumar caught by Vinay after the batter had made 52 off 31 balls with three fours and four sixes.

Thereafter, things went downhill for the Royals of Rayalaseema as the Vizag Lions, having tested blood, went for the kill. Vinay got rid of A Sai Surya Teja (9) and Girinath packed off Y Vasu (13). Girinath then had the prize scalp of Teja, who was caught by Vijay.

KH Veera Reddy of Simhadri Vizag Lions was named Player of the Match

Teja topscored with a 47-ball 62 with seven fours and a six.

Royals of Rayalaseema folded up for 158, as they lost their seven wickets for 63 runs. B Vinay Kumar took three for 33 and Girinath claimed two for 32.

K H Veera Reddy was named Player of the Match.

Brief scores: Simhadri Vizag Lions 217 for 6 in 20 overs (N Himakar 47, KH Veera Reddy 50, K Maheep Kumar 33, P Girinath Reddy 41, M Dhanush 28 not out; Pattan Sharief 2/21) beat Royals of Rayalaseema 158 in 19 overs (S Dhruva Kumar Reddy 52, GSP Teja 62; B Vinay Kumar 3/33, P Girinath Reddy 2/32).