Hyderabad E-Champions produced a commanding performance to defeat EIPL & eleve Karimnagar Diamonds by 8 wickets in Qualifier 2 of the Hyderabad Cricket Association's TG20 Season 1 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad, on Friday, 10 July. The victory sets up a summit clash against Anvita Khammam Aces in the grand finale on Sunday.

Skipper Abhirath Reddy Reaches 500-Run Milestone

Abhirath Reddy was the standout performer with a sparkling 82 off 49 balls, laced with seven fours and five sixes, making him the first batter in TG20 Season 1 to cross 500 runs. His knock also reclaimed the Orange Cap for him. Opening partner Sai Vikas Reddy contributed a composed 45 off 31 balls, the pair posting the second-highest opening stand of the tournament at 124 runs, effectively putting the match beyond Karimnagar's reach.

Karimnagar Diamonds Restricted to 157/7

Opting to bat first, Karimnagar Diamonds were held to a modest 157/7 in 20 overs. The innings began cautiously, with the side reaching 50/1 at the end of the powerplay after Hrishikesh Simha and Satwik Reddy smashed three sixes in the final powerplay over. Akhil Rathod broke the partnership, dismissing Satwik for 28 off 21 balls.

Rahul Radesh (28 off 15) injected some urgency at No. 4, adding 40 runs off 26 balls alongside Simha before being bowled by Shanmukha Ashwin in the 12th over. Pranav Varma then struck twice in the 15th over, ending Simha's resistance at 38 off 31 balls and dismissing Chandan Sahani (7 off 10), leaving Diamonds in trouble at 119/5. Notably, E-Champions' bowlers conceded no boundaries across 48 consecutive deliveries in the latter half of the innings. Shubham Sharma hit back-to-back sixes in the penultimate over to push Diamonds past 150, but Purple Cap holder Ajay Dev Goud closed out the final over efficiently, conceding just 7 runs and claiming 2 wickets.

Clinical Chase Sealed With 27 Balls to Spare

E-Champions' openers set the tone immediately, scoring 17 runs off a single over to build momentum. The opening pair accumulated 56 runs in the powerplay and extended their stand to 124 before Sai Vikas fell for 45 and Abhirath was dismissed in the 15th over for 82. By then, the target was well within reach. Vaishav Reddy (25 off 12) and Yashveer Goud (4 off 1) completed the formality, guiding E-Champions to 160/2 in 16.3 overs with 27 balls to spare.

Finale Preview: Revenge on the Cards Against Khammam Aces

Having suffered defeat to Anvita Khammam Aces in Qualifier 1, E-Champions will carry strong motivation into Sunday's grand finale. The Aces go in as the team that topped the qualifier route, while E-Champions arrive on the back of a dominant, confidence-boosting performance. The TG20 Season 1 final promises to be a compelling contest between two well-matched sides.

Brief Scores: Karimnagar Diamonds 157/7 in 20 overs (Hrishikesh Simha 38, Shubham Sharma 31; Shanmukha Ashwin 2/22, Ajay Dev Goud 2/24) lost to Hyderabad E-Champions 160/2 in 16.3 overs (Abhirath Reddy 82, Sai Vikas Reddy 45; Akhil Kumar 1/23) by 8 wickets.