Published: February 5, 2026 at 6:34 pm
Osmania University (Hyderabad) asserted their supremacy in university cricket by clinching the title at the South Zone Inter-University men’s cricket tournament 2025-26.
On Thursday, Osmania University boys scored a 10-run win over Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Belagavi, in an engrossing final at the SJCE Ground in Mysuru.
Put into bat by their opponents, Osmania University posted a formidable total of 214 for five in their allotted 25 overs. Despite losing early wickets, Anvith Reddy and Paras Raj rebuilt the innings with some sensible and steady batting.
Anvith Reddy scored a 31-ball 38 with six fours and Paras Raj struck a 23-ball 37 which contained five boundaries. However, the real impetus to the score came from a blistering unbeaten partnership between Kunal Daswani, who top-scored with a magnificent unbeaten 65 off 41 balls with seven fours and two sixes, and Vaibhav Sajaana, who smashed a quickfire 45 not out of just 27 balls with two fours and four maginificent sixes. Their onslaught took the score past the 200-run mark. Osmania University ended up with 214 for five.
It was not easy chasing a challenging target but VTU fought bravely and gave Osmania University a run for their money. The, however, could only reach 204.
Samarth Hegde scored 46 off 34 balls and Vishnu G Goudar made 39 off 32 balls to keep the chase alive with their aggressive batting. However, Osmania University’s captain Vamshhi Kumaar, led from the front with a match-winning spell. He claimed 3 wickets for 48 runs to deny VTU a victory.
The victorious Osmania University cricket team (from left, sitting): Anvith Reddy, Paras Raj, Vamshhi Kumaar (captain), Dr Kondal Reddy (manager), Surya Teja (coach), Sathwik, Sacheit. Standing: Parthiban, Pawan, Kunal, Vaibhav, Sai Sharan, Rahul Karthikeya, Sahith, Dhanush, Yashveer Goud, Shaik Sameer, Sidhant Reddy.
Vamshhi was well-supported by Dharmapuri Sathwik who took three for 40, VM Danush who claimed two for 39 and V Yashveer who bagged a wicket while conceding 29 runs. Their collective effort ensured that the trophy come back to Hyderabad after a long hiatus.
Paras Raj tops batting chart, Anvith Reddy is third
Paras Raj, who has been in tremendous form right through the tournament, finished on top of the batting chart. Paras, who plays for Balaaji CC in the HCA’s A Division league, scored 366 runs in eight innings at an average of 52.29 and a strike rate of 157.76.
At No.3 position was Anvith Reddy, who scored 267 runs in eight innings at an average of 38.14 and a strike rate of 136.22.
Brief scores (final): Osmania University 214/5 in 25 overs (Kunal Daswani 65 not out, Vaibhav Sajaana 45 not out, Anvith Reddy 38, Paras Raj 37; Hari Rajiv 2/52, Zaid Khursheed 1/24) beat Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) 204 in 24.3 overs (Samarth Hegde 46, Vishnu G Goudar 39, Aditya S 38; Vamshhi Kumaar 3/48, Dharmapuri Sathwik 3/40, VM Danush 2/39, V Yashveer 1/29).
