Tigers annex inaugural TTL trophy

Hyderabad: Adilabad Tigers will go down in the annals of G Venkataswamy Memorial Telangana T20 League (TTL) as its first winner. In doing so, they took home Rs 15 lakh in prize-money. Playing to clinical precision whereupon both batsmen and bowlers contributed their mite, the Tigers defeated Medak Mavericks by nine runs in the summit clash at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium (RGICS) late Sunday night.

Batting first, Adilabad Tigers struggled initially despite contributions by T Ravi Teja (33) and Benjamin Thomas (36) before C Hitesh Yadav titled the scaled with a 18-ball whirlwind knock that was worth 34 runs. It was laced with hit three sixes and one four. The Tigers posted 148 for the loss of seven wickets. Chasing the modest target, Mavericks were on top till most part of the game, particularly after a healthy-looking 105 for three in 15 overs. However, the match turned in favour of the Tigers in the last five overs. 

Requiring 44 runs from 30 runs, Mavericks lost the plot as Hitesh Yadav, Naresh Goud and T Ravi Teja bowled economically and tightened their grip over the proceed ings. Mickil Jaiswal flattered to deceive with his lusty blows and the team managed to score seven runs less than the opponent’s total. A delectable cultural programme before a sizeable crowd brought the curtains down on the event

Gesture for Vaishnav
In a welcome gesture, owners of the franchises pooled in Rs 10 lakh, which was given to visually-impaired cricketer Mahender Vaishnav , who was part of the Indian team that won the fifth Blind Cricket World Cup.

The cheque was presented to him by Telangana State Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao, in the presence of HCA President Dr G Vivekanand, PV Sindhu and veteran leader K Keshav Rao.

The fund-raising exercise was an initiative undertaken by V Chamundeswaranath, a co-owner himself.

Vaishnav is presently working as a deputy manager in State Bank of India’s Choutuppal branch.

Brief scores: Adilabad Tigers 148 for seven(T Ravi Teja 33, Benjamin Thomas 36, C Hitesh Yadav 34, Mickil Jaiswal 3/31, B Sandeep 2/20) bt Medak Mavericks 139 for five (J Mallikarjun 38, Mickil Jaiswal 39, B Sandeep 29).