In the sixth match of the GMR Andhra Premier League (APL) 2025, Capital Amaravathi Royals thrashed Tungabhadra Warriors comfortably by five wickets, at the ACA VDCA International Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. Royals’ P Pandurangaraju became the player of the match (POTM) in Royals’ intriguing win. In the run chase, the left-handed batter stood at the crease until the end and hammered an exceptional 39 off only 12.
At the toss, Capital Amaravathi Royals captain Hanuma Vihari emerged triumphant and elected to field first. Royals got a perfect start from their pacers Gavvala Mallikarjuna and Bandaru Ayyappa. Ayyappa took the crucial scalp of Shree Samanyu Datta, while Mallikarjuna got rid of CR Gnaneshwar, who could produce only two-run innings from his bat after playing eight balls.
It was DB Prashanth, who came to bat at number four and stitched crucial partnership with his captain Maheep Kumar to stabilise the innings. Prashanth built a 76-run stand with his skipper off 58 balls for the third wicket. Warriors’ captain Maheep stood until the 13th over of the match, but looked nervous and played a lethargic innings of 28 off 29. Prashanth went on to score 59 off 39 and helped his team recover from the miserable start.
Middle-order batters Kancherla Anand Josiah and KV Sasikanth took Amaravathi’s bowling attack to the cleaners and collected crucial runs for Tungabhadra. Josiah smashed an unbeaten 32 off 17, while Sasikanth also hammered unbeaten 36 runs off just 16 balls. Chennu Siddhadha, who came at number eight, played two deliveries and remained unbeaten after hoarding seven off just two. After their 20 overs, Warriors posted a total of 188/6.
Pursuing the target, Royals’ top-order batters departed early. K Karan Shinde was the first to return to the pavilion after amassing only six off four. CH Stephen delivered the first breakthrough to Warriors. The next over, Manyala Pranith failed to hold his nerves under pressure as M. Toshith Yadav cleaned him up. In the crunch situation, captain Hanuma Vihari was expected to show valiance, but he also became KV Sasikanth’s victim in the fifth over of the innings.
With Amaravathi reeling at a total of 35/3 in 4.2 overs, S.V. Rahul and Yaara Sandeep stitched a 76-run partnership off 56 balls for the fourth wicket. Rahul played a fierce brand of cricket and racked up 61 off just 37 to keep his team in the chase. Saurabh Kumar got him caught at the hands of Kancherla and ended the southpaw’s knock. His rapid innings included eight boundaries (two fours and six maximums).
Sandeep, who spent time in the middle with Rahul, also lost his wicket to Sasikanth in the 16th over of the match. Sandeep contributed 33 off 31. SDNV Prasad and and P Pandurangaraju stood at the crease until the end and took their team home. Capital completed the chase in 19.1 overs with five wickets in hand. Prasad, who supported Pandurangaraju magnificently, struck unbeaten 42 runs from 19 balls.
Victorious Amaravathi’s next challenge in the GMR APL 2025 is against Bhimavaram Bulls on August 12, while Tungabhadra Warriors, who lost their maiden game in the tournament, will square off against Royals of Rayalaseema on August 13. Amaravathi are in the second spot on the table with four points earned through a couple of wins, while Tungabhadra are in the second position on the tally with one win and a loss.