Revenge gained: Hyderabad ace Khammam by six wickets to be crowned HCA’s TG20 champs

Hyderabad E-Champions exacted sweet revenge over Khammam Aces, who had inflicted on the Champions their sole loss in Qualifer 1, with a thumping six-wicket win in the final of the HCA’s TG20 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday night.

After 22 days of intense cricketing action that has seen many highs, the Hyderabad E-Champions have prevailed above all to lift the inaugural TG20 Trophy in front of a packed crowd.  Led by skipper Abhirath Reddy’s incredible performance, the E-Champions stayed true to their name ‘Champions’.

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E-Champions bowlers were at the forefront of their performance in the summit clash with Yashveer Goud spearheading their attack. The left-arm spinner bagged figures of 3 for 17, while Dev Mehta (2 for 25), Shanmukha Ashwin (2 for 31) and Ajay Dev Goud (2 for 36) all contributed to restrict Aces to 157 for 8.

In response, skipper Abhirath Reddy led the way with 48 off 30 balls six fours and a six, with support from Shanmukha (36 off 21 balls with three fours and two sixes) and Vaishnav Reddy’s unbeaten 41 off 28 balls with one four and three sixes sealed a 6-wicket win with 15 balls to spare.

Yashveer Goud of Hyderabad E-Champions celebrates the wicket of C V Milind, captain of Khammam Aces during the final of the TG20 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday night. Pics: Vipin Pawar / CREIMAS

Put in to bat first, Aces began the innings with their fifth different opening pair of the tournament. Taking the crease alongside Paras Raj (3 off 5 balls), Prateek Reddy struck a maximum off the fourth ball to lay down a marker of intent. Purple Cap holder Ajay provided E-Champions with the early breakthrough, dismissing Paras in the second over.

G Sai Krishna Reddy (4 off 12 balls) and Prateek knocked the ball around to keep the scoreboard ticking before twin strikes from Dev Mehta dealt a significant blow to Aces in the fifth over. Sai Krishna was the first to depart, with Prateek (15 off 12 balls with a four and a six) following soon after, as the Aces were reeling at 33 for 3 in the powerplay.

Mickil and Himateja to Khammam’s rescue

Himateja Kodimela (31 off 26 balls with two sixes) and Mickil Jaiswal, the two experienced batters for the Aces, then steadied the innings. After a subdued middle-over phase, the pair took on Shanmukha Ashwin to score 16 runs in the 11th over. They displayed immense maturity by combining regular strike rotation with timely boundaries to add 94 runs in 61 balls. Mickil was the aggressor in the partnership, amassing his half-century in 31 balls.

Mickil Jaiswal of Khammam Aces plays a shot on way to a half-century

Their resistance was eventually broken as Yashveer Goud delivered a double blow to send Himateja and skipper CV Milind (0 off 2 balls) back to the hut in the 16th over. Ajay then delivered the critical strike in the following over, ending Mickil’s 39-ball 65 with four four and an equal number of sixes to sink Aces deeper into trouble.

Their hopes of a strong finish dwindled as they lost four wickets for nine runs in the death overs. However, Vidyananda Reddy’s 10-ball 20-run cameo, including a boundary and two sixes, guided Aces to 157 for 8.

Abhirath, Vaishnav lead Hyderabad home

Defending a modest total, Aces got the perfect start as Harshith Sai bagged the wicket of Sai Vikas Reddy in the second over. E-Champions delivered the counterpunch, sending in Shanmukha Ashwin to partner with Abhirath. The pair scored 45 runs in the next four overs, eating away into a chunk of the target to power their side to 56 for 1 in the powerplay.

Abhirath Reddy Mandadi, captain of Hyderabad E-Champions, strikes a boundary 

Vidyananda Reddy broke the 62-run stand in the 8th over, offering Aces a glimmer of hope. Unfortunately for them, a few lapses in the field proved to be costly. Abhirath and Vaishnav Reddy kept chipping away to ensure that their side kept pace with the required run rate, before the former fell two short of his half-century with Shaik Azhar getting the better of him in the 12th over.

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Yashveer Goud was dismissed by Ved Reddy in the following over, but Vaishnav and Pranav Varma ensured there were no further hiccups for the E-Champions. They combined for an unbeaten 51-run stand off 28 balls with Vaishnav adding the finishing touches to the game, securing a memorable victory with a six over mid-wicket to crown his side as the champions.

Vaishnav Reddy A of Hyderabad E-Champions scored an unbeaten 41 to steer his side to victory

Brief scores: Khammam Aces 157 for 8 in 20 overs (Mickil Jaiswal 65, Himateja Kodimela 31, Vidya Nanda Reddy 20 not out; Yashveer Goud 3/17, Dev Mehta 2/25, Ajay Dev Goud 2/36) lost to Hyderabad E-Champions 159 for 4 in 17.3 overs (Abhirath Reddy 48, Vaishnav Reddy 41 not out, Shanmukha Ashwin 36, Pranav Varma 19 not out).

Player of the match: Yashveer Goud

Season awards

Highest Run-Scorer of the Tournament: Abhirath Reddy (549 runs)

Highest Wicket-Taker of the Tournament: Ajay Dev Goud (21 wickets)

Player of the Tournament: Abhirath Reddy

Power Player of the Tournament: Tanmay Agarwal

Best Catch of the Tournament: Mickil Jaiswal

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Emerging Player of the Tournament: Ved Reddy

Promising District Player of the Tournament: Ganesh Gadugu

Superstriker of the Tournament: Aman Rao Perala

Incredible Moment of the Tournament: Mickil Jaiswal

Gamechanger of the Tournament: Himateja Kodimela

Runner Up: Khammam Aces

2nd Runner Up: Karimnagar Diamonds

3rd Runner Up: Ranga Reddy Risers