The seventh match of the GMR Andhra Premier League (APL) 2025 between Simhadri Vizag Lions and Kakinada Kings at the ACA VDA International Cricket Stadium on Monday, August 11, concluded in the latter’s favour by five wickets. Pinninti Tapaswi produced the match-winning innings of 94 off 44 and played an instrumental role in Kings’ successful chase of 208 runs. He also got the player of the match (POTM) award.
Earlier, Kakinada Kings captain KS Bharat won the toss against his counterpart Ricky Bhui and elected to bowl first. Openers KH Veera Reddy and Abhishek M Reddy added 42 runs for Vizag in just 27 balls. In the fifth over of the match, left-arm spinner M Anjaneyulu dismissed Veera Reddy and Dhanush Marthala on consecutive deliveries and delivered much-needed breakthroughs to his side. Later, Anjaneyulu got the better of Abhishek as well in the ninth over.
Captain Ricky Bhui, who came at number four, allied with Sandeep Ch and built a 133-run stand for the fourth wicket off 60 balls. Bhui went on to play an incredible innings off 85 off 46. His knock included 11 boundaries (three fours and eight maximums). Sandeep also showcased his gallant side and racked up 60 off 33. His sensational knock included nine boundaries (five fours and four sixes).
K Sudharshan cleaned up Bhui and ended the latter’s breathtaking innings. Sandeep also got run out while stealing a run on the last delivery of the innings, and Simhadri Vizag Lions posted a total of 207/7 in their 20 overs. Anjaneyelu emerged as the most successful bowler for Kakinada with 3/19 figures in four overs. Pacers Yarragunta Pramod and Sudharshan got one wicket apiece.
Pursuing the vast target, Kakinada lost their skipper KS Bharat on the first delivery of the innings. Bharat failed to counter Kaldhi Ajay Kumar, who cleaned him up. In the next over, Ranjeet Darji struck Kings as the left-arm speedster got P Arjun Tendulkar caught at the hands of P Roshan Pavan Kumar. A Surya looked in fine touch, but he lost his battle to Kavuri Saiteja. Surya contributed 36 runs to his team after consuming 24 balls.
With Kakinada struggling at a score of 39/3 in 4.4 overs, KP Rahul and P Tapaswi spent time in the middle and collected some crucial runs to help their side go close to the total. However, off-break bowler Tripurana Vijay outclassed Rahul, who amassed 43 off 26. Along with Pinninti Tapaswi, he built a 104-run partnership off 57 balls.
Tapaswi went on to hammer 94 off 44 and his magnificent batting display included 16 boundaries (11 fours and five sixes). Ranjeet Darji brought an end to his innings in the 17th over. In the final over, Kings required 13 to win the game and Lekhaz Reddy held his nerves and cleaned the fence twice against Bailapudi Yeswanth. Kakinada chased down the target with four balls remaining.
Simhadri’s next clash in the GMR APL 2025 is against Vijayawada Sun Shiners tomorrow night, while Kakinanda will enjoy a four-day hiatus to prepare for their next encounter against Tungabhadra Warriors on August 16. This was Kakinada’s maiden win in the tournament, and they are now in the fifth spot with two points in a couple of matches. With this defeat, Vizag are languishing at the bottom of the tally as they have now hoarded two back-to-back losses.