Hyderabad Storms into Buchi Babu Final with Dominant Victory Over Haryana

Hyderabad has booked their coveted spot in the final of the prestigious Buchi Babu Tournament 2025, following a commanding 104-run victory over Haryana in a riveting semifinal clash held at the Guru Nanak College ground. This comprehensive win was a testament to Hyderabad's all-round dominance, featuring stellar batting performances and a disciplined bowling attack that consistently troubled the opposition.

The foundation for Hyderabad's triumph was laid in their first innings. After winning the toss and electing to bat, they posted a formidable total of 326. The innings was anchored by a magnificent century from Chandan Sahani, who crafted a patient yet impactful 105 runs. He found excellent support from Bhavesh Seth, who contributed a crucial 83, and Mayank Gupta, adding a solid 64. Haryana’s bowling attack toiled hard, with the experienced Rahul Tewatia being the pick of the bowlers, snaring an impressive five-wicket haul for 63 runs, keeping his side in contention.

In response, Haryana showed glimpses of resilience but ultimately fell short of Hyderabad's first-innings total. They were bowled out for 228, trailing by 98 runs. Mayank Shandilya (59) and Saurabh Kumar (51) offered some resistance with well-compiled half-centuries, but Hyderabad's bowlers were relentless. Rakshan Reddy spearheaded the attack with a superb spell, bagging four wickets for 51 runs, while Abir Paul provided crucial breakthroughs, picking up three wickets for 39 runs, ensuring Hyderabad maintained a significant advantage.

With a healthy first-innings lead, Hyderabad pressed on in their second essay, declaring at 236 for 6, setting Haryana a daunting target. G. Rahul Singh led the charge with a brisk 63, while Chandan Sahani continued his impressive form, adding a valuable 52 runs to his earlier century. Haryana's bowlers, particularly Jayant Yadav, who claimed three wickets for 43 runs, tried to stem the flow of runs, but Hyderabad's batsmen ensured a challenging chase for their opponents.

Chasing 335 for victory, Haryana faced an uphill battle. Despite a fighting half-century from their captain Jayant Yadav (58) and a resolute 54 from Ankit Kumar, they could not withstand the sustained pressure from Hyderabad's bowlers. The second innings saw the resurgence of Abir Paul, who delivered a match-winning performance, ripping through Haryana's batting line-up to claim a sensational five-wicket haul for just 48 runs. His exceptional spell, combined with disciplined bowling from the rest of the attack, eventually saw Haryana bundled out for 230.

The victory propelled Hyderabad into the Buchi Babu Tournament final, a testament to their collective strength and individual brilliance. Their dominant batting, led by Sahani and supported by crucial contributions, coupled with a potent bowling unit featuring stellar performances from Abir Paul and Rakshan Reddy, makes them formidable contenders for the championship title. Cricket enthusiasts now eagerly await to see if they can carry this momentum forward and clinch the coveted trophy.