Vinay Rao
It’s raining good news in Hyderabad — and for Indian cricket as a whole! From the U19 boys’ historic triumph to the Ranji resurgence and the U23 team’s confident strides, Hyderabad cricket seems to be rediscovering its edge. Each victory reflects the city’s rich talent pool and a renewed hunger to rise again as a powerhouse of Indian cricket.
Adding to the national euphoria, the Indian women’s team has given the country a moment of sheer pride with their inspirational World Cup win — a milestone that has electrified every fan across the country. Together, these achievements signal a bold new chapter for both Hyderabad and India.
And while we celebrate the present, it’s a fitting time to acknowledge the giants who built this foundation. M. V. Narasimha Rao Garu, who led Hyderabad to its second Ranji title, remains a towering figure in our cricketing legacy. Alongside him, legends like the late Abdul Azeem, Vijay Mohan Raj, Kaleem Abdul Qayyum, and Rajesh Yadav gifted Hyderabad not just wins, but an enduring culture of unity and resilience — one that continues to shape the mindset of today’s generation.
Weekly Round-Up: Hyderabad’s Ongoing Campaign
Travelling to Himachal for their third Ranji game of the season, Hyderabad began on the back foot as the hosts posted a solid 318, anchored by a composed century from Vashisht. Tanay Thyagarajan stood tall among Hyderabad bowlers, returning a well-earned four-wicket haul.
Early jitters marked Hyderabad’s reply, but C. V. Milind steadied the ship with a gritty, stroke-filled 98. With crucial support from Tanay and Nishant, Hyderabad reached 278 — Milind’s skill in shielding the tail proving vital in keeping the contest alive.
Himachal’s second innings score of 303 set Hyderabad a challenging target of 344. For a moment, the chase appeared daunting — until Abhirath Reddy walked in and changed the script.
What followed was an innings full of heart, composure, and fearless execution. Abhirath not only absorbed pressure but counterattacked with authority, turning a tense chase into an exhilarating one.
Interestingly, fate played its own little cameo: Abhirath got this opportunity only because Tilak Varma was called up for national duty. A reminder that cricket rewards readiness — when the door opens, great players walk through.
Supported by a solid 66 from Rahul Radesh and a valuable 33 from Himteja, Abhirath’s masterclass powered Hyderabad to a memorable win — one that will be celebrated not just for the result, but for the character it showcased.
Milind and Abhirath’s heroics ensured Hyderabad avoided what could have easily turned into a week of scrutiny and criticism. Instead, their brilliance rekindled belief in themselves and in Hyderabad supporters everywhere.
But even amidst the joy, areas of improvement remain — tighter catching, sharper coordination, and smarter tactical decisions will be crucial as bigger challenges await. The spirit is strong; polishing the finer details will make Hyderabad even stronger.
U23 Team’s Strong Showing
Meanwhile, in Gurugram, the U23 side delivered a clinical performance to secure their first win of the season. Batting first, Hyderabad posted 307 with fine contributions across the board: Raghava Pattapu (87), Avanish (54), Vignesh Reddy (45), and Rithish Reddy (54). Haryana’s Vivek Singh stood out with a five-wicket haul.
The hosts responded with 226, led by Rohan (70) and Sarvesh (71), before Pranav dented their progress with four key wickets.
In the second innings, Hyderabad’s 235 was again anchored by a superb 91 from the in-form Raghava, with Avanish adding a useful 33. Haryana’s Ajay Singh bagged a terrific seven wickets to set up a chase of 317.
That target proved out of reach despite another fighting effort from Rohan, who scored a century. Hyderabad’s bowlers combined effectively — Nitin took three, while Adnan, Prithvi, and Dinesh grabbed two each — to seal the match with authority.
This win provides the perfect launchpad for their campaign, boosting belief and rhythm heading into the coming fixtures.
Momentum is a powerful ally — and Hyderabad must guard it fiercely. Performers should be backed, emerging talent nurtured, and those out of form encouraged to compete harder. Champion teams thrive on accountability and the constant push to elevate standards.
As the journey continues, one thing is clear — Hyderabad cricket has rediscovered its heartbeat. And if this spirit continues, we may well be celebrating another round of victories this time next week.
For now — the euphoria is real, and Hyderabad is riding high.
