In the 10th match of the GMR Andhra Premier League (APL) 2025 played at the ACA VDCA International Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday, August 13, Royals of Rayalaseema bagged a huge 51-run win over Tungabhadra Warriors on the back of a complete performance with both bat and ball. Rayalaseema skipper Shaik Rasheed became the recipient of the player of the match (POTM) award for his 67-run knock off 48.
Earlier, Tungabhadra Warriors captain Maheep Kumar won the toss and elected to bowl first. On the fourth delivery of the game, Manoj Kumar ran himself out while attempting to seal a quick run. In the third over, S Dhruva Kumar also failed to be effective with his bat and departed after scoring only 15 off seven. Pacer Saurabh Kumar got the better of Dhruva. Pyla Avinash, who came at number four, also departed after 16 off 14.
In the crunch situation, Rayalaseema captain Shaik Rasheed and K Satya Sai Sathwik built a 71-run stand for the fourth wicket off just 39 balls. Sathwik lost his wicket to Toshith Yadav and went back to the dugout after scoring a brisk 45 off 22. His innings included seven boundaries (three fours and four maximums).
Toshith also picked up Girinath Reddy, who could score only nine off seven. Rasheed and Maddila Harsha Vardhan also stitched a 42-run stand for the seventh wicket off just 26 balls. Rasheed concluded his innings in the 19th over after falling against KV Sasikanth. His knock was studded with eight boundaries (six fours and two sixes). After 20 overs, Rayalaseema scored 191/6 and delivered a target of 192 to Warriors. Toshith was the best bowler for Tungabhadra as the speedster took 2/35 figures in his four overs.
Chasing the target, Warriors lost four batters within the powerplay. In the second over of the innings, J Saketh Ram hunted opener CR Gnaneshwar’s scalp and delivered the first blow to Tungabhadra. The next over, P Girinath Reddy stepped up and got M Shree Samanyu Dutta caught at the hands of Saketh Ram.
Ram, in his second over, struck against Tungabhadra again as DB Prashanth got dismissed against the speedster after scoring only one off just four. In the final over of the powerplay, Kancherla Anand Josiah failed to hold his nerves and became the victim of the left-handed pacer Vinukonda Venu. Josiah could accumulate only 13 runs from his bat after playing 11 deliveries.
Captain Maheep Kumar and MK Datta Reddy built a 47-run stand for the fifth wicket, but they consumed 36 balls. Datta Reddy lost his battle to Vinukonda after playing a 37-run knock off 26 balls. Maheep also surrendered against Madhav Rayudu after hoarding only 34 off 25. Gutta Rohit strove to accumulate runs at a swift pace, but he could only diminish the margin of Warriors’ defeat. Riding on his 32 off 16, Tungabhadra reached 140 in 17.2 overs, falling well short of the 192-run target. J Saketh Ram was the most effective bowler for Rayalaseema with 3/8 figures in his three-over spell.
Royals of Rayalaseema will next lock horns against Simhadri Vizag Lions on August 15 in the GMR APL 2025, while Tungabhadra Warriors, following the humiliating defeat, will play their next match against Bhimavaram Bulls on the same day. This was Tungabhadra’s second loss in the tournament, and they are now in the fourth spot with just two points in three matches. Rayalaseema, who have won their maiden match of the competition, have elevated themselves to fifth place with two points in three contests.