"VAN" (Sports Desk - 23.06.2026) :: Anvita Khammam Aces got their campaign off to a winning start with a 20-run victory over Palamuru Strikers in the opening match of the inaugural edition of Hyderabad Cricket Association’s Sreenidhi University TG20, played in front of a packed crowd at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday.
After posting a formidable 237/5, riding on half-centuries from Wafi Kachchhi (60 off 30) and Sai Krishna Reddy (52 off 32), the Aces held their nerve to restrict the Strikers to 217/6 despite a blistering 86 off 31 from Vignesh Reddy.
All-rounder Wafi Kachchhi was adjudged as the Player of the Match for his sensational performance, which included bowling figures of 1/27. Reflecting on his outing in the post-match press conference, the 19-year-old said, “I’m really grateful to God for giving me this opportunity. I’d also like to give special thanks to my coach, Ahmed Jinnah sir. He’s been my coach since I was nine years old, and I’m really grateful to him.”
Speaking on his performance on the big stage, he added, "I was a little nervous when I started, but as I kept going, it became easier. I wasn't thinking much about the big crowds and was just focused on how I could take on the bowlers."
Meanwhile, 16-year-old Aces’ spinner Ved Reddy also played a key role in his team’s win, returning with figures of 2/42, including the crucial breakthrough of Vignesh Reddy.
Reflecting on his performance, the youngster said, “I had my own plans coming into the game. We also had certain plans for each batsman. Some plans didn’t work initially, so I changed my strategy and that provided us with the breakthrough. I tried to bring in my variations with my speed and backed my strengths to focus on what I've been practicing. That paid off for us today.”
Veteran Sri Lankan batter Tillakaratne Dilshan, who was a pivotal member of the international side that won the ICC T20 World Cup in 2014, is serving as the Team Advisor for the Anvita Khammam Aces in the Sreenidhi University TG20.
Sharing his experience on working with the vastly experienced campaigner, Ved Reddy stated, “His experience is really valuable. He is someone who has played many games for Sri Lanka. So, his experience and what he tells us is really helpful. We're very lucky to have him in our team.”
Shedding some light on the role Dilshan is playing in the dugout, Kachchhi added, “When I got out and came back to the dugout, he just came and had a chat. He told me if I had been there till 15th over or 14th over, I would have got my 100. So, he gives us that backing. We’re really grateful to have him with us.”
Ved Reddy also shed light on the impact that TG20 can create for budding cricketers in the region. “It's a wonderful platform for us young people because we have a lot of years to play cricket. We're really grateful and lucky that when we are starting our career, this league has come and we've been picked and we've played well. Hopefully, we can continue to perform for our team”, he concluded.
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