Published: January 6, 2026 at 7:03 pm
Opener CR Gnaneshwar Rao struck an unbeaten century to help Andhra tie their Vijay Hazare Trophy game against Haryana and share two points each at the Alur Cricket Stadium in Bengaluru on Tuesday.
After Haryana ran up a strong 324, Andhra had an uphill task, but Gnaneshwar was up to the task. With the Andhra innings reduced to 48 overs, Andhra had to score 308 for victory. Andhra, however, were not able to get that elusive one run but had the satisfaction of at least not losing the game.
Gnaneshwar stood tall for Andhra and delivered when it mattered, especially since they were without the services of skipper Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Andhra openers Gnaneshwar and KS Bharat gave their side a solid start as they added 138 for the first wicket in 19.4 overs. Bharat was the first to go when he was snapped up by Amit Rana of Ansul Kamboj after making a 58-ball 70 with seven fours and three sixes.
The partnership came in 119 balls and Bharat’s share was 70, while Gnaneshwar contributed 62.
Gnaneshwar Rao ensured Andhra took two points from the game against Haryana
Thereafter, Andhra lost their way, but Gnaneshwar held one end firm. He strung a 44-run partnership off 48 balls with skipper M Hemanth Reddy (14) for the thrid wicket and then added 56 off 59 balls for the fourth wicket with SDNV Prasad (35).
While wickets fell at the other end, Gnaneshwar waged a lone battle but ensured two points for his side as Andhra made 307 for seven.
Anshul Kamboj took three for 40 and Samant Jakhar bagged two for 38.
Earlier, Himanshu Rana hammered a 91-ball 112 with 11 fours and a six and opener Mayank Shandilya made a 65-ball 75 with seven fours and two sixes as the Haryana batters were on a rampage in the first half of their innings.
However, once Rana fell, Andhra took control of the proceedings in the last five overs. From 291 for three, Haryana were bowled out for 324. They lost seven wickets for just 33 runs.
Satyanaranaya Raju bagged five for 44 and Saketh Ram took three for 61.
SCOREBOARD
Haryana: Mayank Shandilya c Gnaneshwar b Raju 75, Ankit Kumar c Sandeep b Varma 38, Himanshu Rana c Hemanth b Saketh 112, Yashvardhan Dalal c Prasad b Hemanth 1, Parth Vats c Dhanush b Saketh 69, Samant Jakhar c Prasad b Raju 11, Rahul Tewatia c Gnaneshwar b Saketh 1, Anshul Kamboj c Prasad b Raju 0, Anuj Thakral c Vinay b Raju 4, Ajay Singh b Raju 2, Amit Rana (not out) 1; Extras: (LB4, W6) 10. Total: (All out in 49.5 overs) 324.
Fall of wickets: 1-93, 2-171, 3-174, 4-291, 5-316, 6-316, 7-316, 8-320, 9-323.
Bowling: Satyanarayana Raju 9.5-1-44-5, Kodavandla Sudharsan 5-0-54-0, Bodhala Kumar 5-0-51-0, Jagarlapudi Ram 10-0-61-3, Munish Varma 7-0-44-1, M Hemanth Reddy 10-0-46-1, Yara Sandeep 3-0-20-0.
Andhra: CR Gnaneshwar (not out) 142, KS Bharat c Rana b Kamboj 70, Marthala Dhanush (run out) 1, M Hemanth Reddy c Vats b Rana 14, SDNV Prasad c Thakral b Kamboj 35, Yara Sandeep c sub (Yuvraj) b Jakhat 20, Munish Varma b Kamboj 2, Bodhala Kumar c Dalal b Jakhar 1, Jagarlapudi Ram (not out) 7; Extras: (LB2, NB1, W12) 15. Total: (For seven wickets in 48 overs) 307.
Fall of wickets: 1-138, 2-141, 3-185, 4-241, 5-287, 6-294, 7-298.
Bowling: Anshul Kamboj 10-1-40-3, Ajay Singh 8-0-67-0, Anuj Thakral 8-0-53-0, Samant Jakhar 4-0-38-2, Parth Vats 8-0-55-0, Amit Rana 10-0-52-1.
