On the final day of the Buchi Babu semifinal between TNCA President’s XI and Hyderabad, the visitors declared their innings at 273 for nine, setting a target of 260 for the hosts. Hyderabad’s C.V. Milind (53) and Ravi Teja (42) forged a crucial 92-run eighth-wicket partnership to bolster their total.
TNCA President’s XI’s chase began confidently with openers S. Radhakrishnan (40) and Vimal Khumar putting on a 60-run stand. However, left-arm spinner Aniket Reddy broke the partnership and went on to claim the wickets of Radhakrishnan and A. Badrinath.
As the match progressed, the drama intensified. Aniket’s delivery to K.T.A. Madhava Prasad pitched on the rough and turned square, leading to a caught-behind appeal. The Hyderabad team erupted in celebration, but the umpire remained unmoved.
The match took a decisive turn when left-arm spinner Tanay Thyagarajan removed Andre Siddharth, the architect of President’s XI’s victory in the previous match. With the score at 84 for four, the hosts were in a precarious position.
Despite a valiant effort, TNCA President’s XI fell short by 65 runs, unable to overcome Hyderabad’s determined bowling attack. Mohammed emerged as the star performer for Hyderabad, claiming a five-wicket haul.
