Bengaluru: Andhra Pradesh got the better of Karnataka in a high scoring game in the first match of the Champions Trophy Men’s Bilateral T20 Cricket Tournament for the Blind 2023, beating them by 51 runs in the match played here at the Lakshyan Cricket Ground, Bangalore.
Dr Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar – Founder Managing Trustee of Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled and President, of Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) welcomed Mr Dhanraj Pillay, Olympian and Former Indian Captain – Field Hockey, and Mr Arjun Halappa Olympian and Former Indian Captain – Field Hockey to the inaugural ceremony and thanked them for supporting cricket for the Blind. Speaking on the occasion Dr Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar said that “the best of the best players are here to play the bilateral series and wished both the teams the best.” Both the Olympians wished the best to the teams and appreciated the efforts taken by the organizers. Mr E John David, General Secretary CABI spoke on the occasion about both the teams with their achievements and the contribution of these two states in promoting cricket for the Blind.
Karnataka won the toss and sent Andhra to bat first. Lokesha dismissed Captain T. Durga Rao in the second over for just 9 runs. D. Venkateswara Rao was starting to build his innings at one end while G. Satyanarayana was run out in the fifth over. Venkateswara was joined by I Ajay Kumar Reddy and both batters enjoyed scoring. They were scoring runs freely, especially Venkateswara who was dominating the bowling. Both batters put together a massive partnership of 217 runs for the third wicket. Venkateswara was dismissed with two balls to spare in the innings after scoring a brilliant century. He amassed 162 runs of just 77 balls with the help of 25 boundaries and 3 hits above the ropes. Ajay Kumar Reddy remained unbeaten on 56 runs of 35 balls with seven hits to the fence. Andhra finished their innings on a massive 270/3 in their 20 overs. Lokesha and Sunil Ramesh took a wicket each for Karnataka.
Chasing a huge target, but with a strong batting lineup, Karnataka openers Sunil Ramesh and Javare Gowda started the chase well. They took the score to 83 in 8 overs before Javare Gowda was dismissed for 18. Sunil was doing the bulk of the scoring for the hosts. They lost A. Manjunatha also shortly. Prakash Jayaramaiah joined Sunil and both batters tried to increase the rate of scoring but were restricted to some good bowling by the Andhra bowlers. Sunil, who was batting brilliantly was dismissed in the 13th over by K. Srinadh which halted the hosts chase. A Ravi caught a spectacular catch to put an end to the brilliant batting of Sunil. Sunil scored 90 runs of 42 balls with the help of 17 boundaries. Prakash was joined by Lokesha and both batters scored runs freely but the target was way too steep for them to achieve at the end. Karnataka ended their chase on 219/3 in 20 overs. Prakash remained unbeaten on 43 while Lokesha remained unbeaten on 45.
D. Venkateswara Rao was awarded the Player of the Match for the wonderful century.
Brief Scores
Andhra Pradesh – 270/3 in 20 overs (D. Venkateswara Rao – 162, Ajay Kumar Reddy – 56 no; Sunil Ramesh – 1/30, Lokesha – 1/39) beat Karnataka – 219/3 in 20 overs (Sunil Ramesh – 90, Prakash Jayaramaiah – 43 no, Lokesha – 45 no; K. Srinath – 1/50)
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