Smart batting: Andhra’s Pyla played some extravagant strokes with the essence on timing and not just power.
| Photo Credit: V.V. SUBRAHMANYAM
Andhra scored a thumping, 75-run win over Maharashtra, its third consecutive win, in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 cricket Group E match at the Gymkhana Ground here on Friday.
It was powered by a brilliant half-century by Avinash Pyla (55, 39b, 4×4, 4×6) and a disciplined bowling show led by pacer K.V. Sasikanth (three for 22).
Batting first, Andhra saw K. Srikar Bharat play all over an inswinger from left-arm pacer Mukesh Choudhary in the first over. Then Shaik Rasheed mistimed a pull stroke off the same bowler in the third over to make it 18 for two.
Andhra’s K.S. Bharat is cleaned up by Maharashtra pacer Mukesh Choudhary in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 cricket Group E match at the Gymkhana Ground in Hyderabad on Friday, November 29, 2024.
| Photo Credit:
V.V. SUBRAHMANYAM
Andhra stayed in the game thanks to the free-stroking Ashwin Hebbar (36, 28b, 2×4, 3×6) and Pyla who put on 65 for the third wicket. Hebbar however perished when he stepped out for a big heave only to be stumped smartly by Ruturaj Gaikwad off spinner Vicky Ostwal.
Pyla, meanwhile, played some extravagant strokes on yet another perfect T20 wicket, with the essence on timing and not just power.
With captain Ricky Bhui (28, 16b, 2×4, 2×6) playing a cameo, Andhra eventually posted a respectable 174 for seven in 20 overs.
Andhra pacer K.V. Sasikanth celebrates after dismissing Maharashtra’s Rahul Tripathi in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 cricket Group E match at the Gymkhana Ground in Hyderabad on Friday, November 29, 2024.
| Photo Credit:
V.V. SUBRAHMANYAM
Mukesh Choudhary was the most impressive with a three-wicket haul with the other pacer Arshin Kulkarni (two for 26) giving good support.
In reply, Maharashtra, was never in the hunt as none of the batters showed the desired discipline or stroke selection.
Though Rahul Tripathi looked determined to hang on, he was never really at his usual best and eventually snicked pacer Sasikanth to wicketkeeper K.S. Bharat.
Leg-spinner B. Yeshwanth (three for 29) ensured Maharashtra had no chance of coming back into the game as it was eventually bowled out for 99 in 15.4 overs.
In another match, fine knocks by Rohan Kunnummal (87, 48b, 5×4, 7×6) and Salman Nizar (99 n.o., 49b, 5×4, 8×6) and a good spell by M.D. Nidheesh (four for 30) helped Kerala record an impressive, 43-run win against Mumbai.
The scores: Group E: At Gymkhana: Andhra 174/7 in 20 overs (Ashwin Hebbar 36, Avinash Pyla 55, Mukesh Choudhary 3/21) bt Maharashtra 99 in 15.4 overs (K.V. Sasikanth 3/22, B. Yeshwanth 3/29).
At Uppal: Kerala 234/5 in 20 overs (Rohan Kunnummal 87, Salman Nizar 99 n.o., Mohit Avasthi 4/44) bt Mumbai 191/9 in 20 overs (Shreyas Iyer 32, Ajinkya Rahane 68, M.D. Nidheesh 4/30).
Published – November 29, 2024 06:48 pm IST
