HCA unveils TG20 trophy and introduces captains ahead of inaugural season

In a spectacular curtain-raiser to the inaugural Sreenidhi University TG20 season, the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) unveiled the league trophy at the iconic Buddha Statue on Tank Bund, Hyderabad. The grand ceremony brought together all eight franchise captains, members of the TG20 Governing Council, representatives of title sponsor Sreenidhi University, and league officials, symbolizing the unity and ambition of Telangana’s premier T20 competition.

Set against the majestic backdrop of the historic Buddha Statue and the Hyderabad skyline, the unveiling created a memorable visual spectacle and marked the official commencement of Sreenidihi University TG20’s journey to inspire the next generation of cricketers across Telangana.

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Designed in the shape of the state of Telangana, the Sreenidhi University TG20 trophy celebrates the league’s deep roots in the region and symbolizes the aspirations of the next generation of cricketers from across the state. The trophy will be the ultimate prize for the eight franchises set to battle for honours in the league’s inaugural season.

As title sponsor, Sreenidhi University is playing a key role in supporting the development of cricket in Telangana and providing a platform for young athletes to showcase their talent. The partnership reflects the university’s long-standing commitment to sports development, youth empowerment and holistic education. Representing Sreenidhi University at the ceremony were Abhijit Rao Katikaneni, CEO, Sreenidhi Institute of Science and Technology, and Dr Ananth Padmanabhan, vice-chancellor, Sreenidhi University.

Palamuru Strikers take on Khammam Aces in opening match of Sreenidhi University TG20

“At Sreenidhi University, we view sports as a critical component of education because they impart some of the most important life lessons, discipline, resilience, teamwork, leadership and confidence. Our commitment to sports has remained steadfast over the years through cricket initiatives, mentorship programmes, scholarships, Sreenidhi Sports School and our football development efforts.

“Becoming the title sponsor of TG20 is a natural extension of that commitment and reflects our belief in platforms that create genuine opportunities for emerging talent. It is particularly encouraging to see players who have developed within the Sreenidhi ecosystem now participating in the league. Through partnerships such as TG20, we hope to contribute towards identifying and nurturing the next generation of athletes who can make Telangana and India proud,” said Abhijit Rao Katikaneni.

Captains of eight franchises introduced

The captains for the eight franchises were also introduced, with Tanay Thyagarajan set to lead Ranga Reddy Risers, Ravi Teja captaining Medak Falcons, Aman Rao Perala leading Warangal Warriors, Pragnay Reddy heading Palamuru Strikers, CV Milind captaining Anvita Khammam Aces, Rahul Buddhi leading Anurag Nalgonda Knights, Abhirath Reddy taking charge of Hyderabad e-Champions, and Tanmay Agarwal captaining EIPL & Eleve Karimnagar Diamonds.

“The unveiling of the trophy marks another important step as we prepare for the launch of the inaugural season. We are excited to see some of Telangana’s finest cricketing talent take centre stage and are confident that the league will provide a strong platform for players while creating a memorable experience for fans across the state,” said M Jeevan Reddy, secretary of the Hyderabad Cricket Association.

The inaugural edition of the Sreenidhi University TG20 will get underway on Sunday at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Uppal. The league stage runs through July 7 before the playoffs begin on July 9, culminating in the final on July 12.

Tickets for the tournament are available on District by Zomato, while fans can watch all matches live on Star Sports, Star Sports 2, Star Sports 2 Telugu and JioHotstar.