Cricket

Andhra Pradesh made a strong start in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match against Hyderabad, thanks to a five-wicket haul from off-spinner Tripurana Vijay and a fluent half-century from S.K. Rasheed.Vijay, playing in his first Ranji Trophy match, impressed with his immaculate line and length, claiming the wickets of Abhirath Reddy, K. Rohit Rayudu, K. Himateja, G. Rahul Singh, and Chama Milind. His career-best figures of 5/118 helped restrict Hyderabad to 301 in their first innings.Hyderabad's innings was anchored by Tanmay Agarwal, who scored a gritty 159 despite losing wickets at regular intervals. Agarwal's knock included two huge sixes off Vijay, but he eventually fell to Rafi.In response, Andhra openers M. Hemanth Reddy and Abhishek Reddy got off to a solid start, putting on 67 runs for the second wicket. However, both batsmen were dismissed in quick succession, leaving Andhra at 84/2.Rasheed then took center stage, showcasing his class with a fluent 79 not out. He timed his shots beautifully, particularly through the midwicket and cover regions, and combined rock-solid defense with excellent stroke-play.Karan Shinde provided valuable support to Rasheed, contributing 41 runs. The duo denied Hyderabad any further success, as the bowlers struggled on a pitch that offered little assistance.At the close of play on the second day, Andhra had reached 168/2, trailing Hyderabad by 133 runs. Rasheed and Shinde remained unbeaten at the crease, looking to build on their partnership and put Andhra in a strong position.

Nitish Kumar Reddy, the rising star of Indian cricket, has expressed his gratitude to the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise for their unwavering support and has pledged to repay their trust. Reddy, a fast-bowling all-rounder, was retained by SRH for INR 6 crore, marking a significant milestone for the Andhra Pradesh native.Reddy's journey to the IPL began in 2023 when he was acquired by SRH for INR 20 lakh. Despite limited opportunities in his debut season, he showcased his potential in IPL 2024, earning the Emerging Player of the Season award. His impressive performances, including a match-winning 64 against Punjab Kings and an unbeaten 76 against Rajasthan Royals, propelled him to the Indian national team.Reddy's retention by SRH is a testament to his rapid rise in the cricketing world. It also marks a significant moment for Andhra Pradesh, as Reddy becomes the first player from the state to secure an IPL retention.In an exclusive interview, Reddy expressed his pride in representing his region and his commitment to the SRH franchise. "Playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad fills me with pride. As a Telugu speaker, I'm proud to represent my region when playing for the team in the IPL," he said.Reddy credits the IPL with transforming his life. "Everything has just changed like a rapid fire. Like in one year from nowhere to being something, I really feel that IPL is a big stage where my talent came out and everyone knows me now," he said.The all-rounder emphasized the importance of hard work and preparation, particularly in developing his power-hitting game. He also highlighted the role of shadow practicing in improving his downswing.Reflecting on his journey, Reddy expressed gratitude for the sacrifices made by his father, Mutyala. "When he took the decision to retire early to focus on my cricket, everyone turned upon us. But once you don't have the government job, people treat you so differently and I saw that," he said.Reddy's father played a pivotal role in his development, traveling with him to matches and providing support. "I still remember all these things my father did for me in becoming what I am," he said.For Reddy, the joy of cricket lies in the nostalgia of his childhood days spent on the field. "For me, whenever you play cricket, you should not be feeling that you should take the pressure or something like that. You should just enjoy being in the game, as that's how everything started for me," he said.