Published: June 26, 2026 at 10:38 am
Rohit Rayudu struck an unbeaten half-century to seal a five-wicket win for Palamuru Strikers over Medak Falcons in the HCA’s TG20 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad, on Thursday night.
This was Palamuru Strikers’ first win of the season which came on the back of a disciplined all-round performance. Rishab Baslas (2 for 33) and Ravi Kiran (2 for 34) were the pick of the bowlers for the Strikers’ as they restricted their opponents to 164 for 9. Vignesh Reddy’s quickfire 39 off 22 with two fours and three sixes set the platform, while Rohit Rayudu’s unbeaten 54 off 42 balls which contained three fours and two sixes anchored the run chase for Strikers, guiding them home with 13 balls to spare.
Ravi Kiran strikes early
From the outset, the Strikers’ bowlers kept the Falcons’ batters under constant pressure. Ravi Kiran struck in the very first over, dismissing Purnanand Rao (1 off 2 balls), before returning in the fourth to remove Naman Agarwal (21 off 13 balls with one four and two sixes) and further slow the Falcons’ scoring rate.
Ravi Kiran of Palamuru Strikers celebrates the wicket of Sai Purnanand Rao of Medak Falcons during their TG20 match at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad, on Thursday. Pics: Vipin Pawar / CREIMAS
After Ahwinan Ram (12 off 10 balls) retired out, captain Ravi Teja and Shrunjith Reddy (19 off 19 balls with two fours) looked to rebuild. However, the Strikers continued to tighten their grip, with Rathan Teja clean bowling Shrunjith before Rohit Rayudu had Ravi Teja edging behind to wicketkeeper Pragnay Reddy after a brisk 13 off seven deliveries with two boundaries.
Reduced to 77 for 5, the Falcons turned to Varun Yerram (36 off 23 balls with four sixes) and Vikram Naik (36 off 33 balls with three fours and a six), who stitched together a vital partnership to steady the innings. While the pair rotated the strike effectively, the Strikers’ disciplined bowling made boundaries difficult to come by, with the Falcons reaching the 100-run mark only in the 13th over.
Rishab swings momentum in Strikers’ favour
Varun and Vikram gradually found their rhythm, adding a valuable 64-run stand to revive the innings. However, Rishab Baslas swung the momentum firmly back in the Strikers’ favour, breaking the partnership by dismissing Varun before removing Ishan Sharma (6 off 2 balls) in the same over.
Baslas’ double strike all but ended the Falcons’ resistance. Vikram Naik, who had battled hard throughout the innings, was dismissed in the final over as the Falcons were restricted to 164 for 9 from their 20 overs.
Falcons made the perfect start with the ball as Varun Yerram struck in the opening over, inducing Karan Yadav (0 off 1 ball) to hole out to Naman Agarwal. Yerram struck again soon after, dismissing Pragnay Reddy (15 off 10 balls with three fours), to leave Palamuru Strikers under early pressure.
Sai Varun Yerram scored a 23-ball 36 to prop up Medak Falcons
Rohit takes charge of the proceedings
Vignesh then joined Rohit at the crease, and the pair steadied the innings with a composed partnership. Rotating the strike efficiently while capitalising on loose deliveries, the duo added 59 runs off just 36 balls to wrest back the momentum. Just as the partnership began to flourish, Syed Ghazi Abbas provided the Falcons with a crucial breakthrough by dismissing the dangerous Vignesh.
Shrunjith Reddy further raised the Falcons’ hopes by clean bowling Shadab Ahmed (3 off 3 balls), but Rohit continued to anchor the chase with a measured knock. He found able support from Rathan Teja (23 off 20 balls with one four and a six), who chipped in before being bowled by Ravi Teja.
Rohit Rayudu steers Palamuru Strikers home
Rohit brought up his maiden half-century of the season in style, launching Shrunjith Reddy for a six in the 18th over. With victory within touching distance, Pratheek Pawar, who struck an unbeaten 27 off 10 balls with four boundaries and a six, finished the chase emphatically with a couple of boundaries as the Strikers sealed the win with 13 balls to spare.
Brief scores: Medak Falcons 164 for 9 in 20 overs (Vikram Naik 36, Varun Yerram 36, Naman Agarwal 21; Rishab Baslas 2/33, Ravi Kiran 2/34) lost to Palamuru Strikers 165 for 5 in 17.5 overs (Rohit Rayudu 54 not out, A Vignesh Reddy 39, Pratheek Pawar 27 not out, Rathan Teja 23; Varun Yerram 2/20).
Player of the match: Rohit Rayudu
