Ranji Trophy: Aniketh Reddy and Rakshann Readdi guide Hyderabad to one-wicket win over Chhattisgarh
Hyderabad edged Chhattisgarh by one wicket at the Gymkhana in a Ranji Trophy match on Thursday, November 5, 2026, after a last-wicket stand sealed the chase.
The finish came after a low-key chase stretched across 17 overs with dry, defensive batting punctuated by singles and tight bowling; Hyderabad trailed and lost three quick wickets for 22 before tea, leaving a final task that hinged on the No. 10 and No. 11 batters. Chhattisgarh needed to dismiss the last pair to claim six points, while Hyderabad required 39 runs to win.
Hyderabad’s last-wicket pair, Aniketh Reddy and Rakshann Readdi, resisted for 16.5 overs under heavy attack from Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, Ajay Mandal and Jayant Yadav, who had taken 14 wickets in the match. The pair faced 74 dot balls and accumulated 25 runs primarily through safe singles before Rakshann stepped down the track and hit the winning six over long-off.
Varun Goud provided crucial support earlier in the chase, arriving when the target read 159 and with four wickets falling at the other end; he played with restraint for a 55 that included three boundaries and he endured 54 dot balls en route to his maiden Ranji half-century in his fifth game. Abhirath Reddy and Rahul Radesh had earlier combined for an 89-run stand off 148 balls to steady Hyderabad after twin ducks left the team momentarily vulnerable at stumps on the third day.
Despite five batters scoring single-digit totals, contributions from the middle and lower order kept Hyderabad in contention and allowed the game to reach its final dramatic over. Chhattisgarh applied pressure throughout the final day with regular breakthroughs, but were unable to separate the last pair.
Match scores were: Chhattisgarh — 1st innings: 284; Hyderabad — 1st innings: 280; Chhattisgarh — 2nd innings: 254; Hyderabad — 2nd innings: Tanmay Agarwal c Prateek b Aditya 0, Abhirath Reddy b Ajay 68, Ruthik Yadav c Ajay b Aditya 0, Rahul Radesh c Vikalp b Jayant 39, K. Himateja c Mayank b Dharmendrasinh 8, Varun Goud b Dharmendrasinh 55, Pragnay Reddy c Ayush b Ajay 1, C.V. Milind lbw b Jayant 22, Tanay Thyagarajann c Anuj b Dharmendrasinh 8, Aniketh Reddy (not out) 39, Rakshann Readdi (not out) 15; Extras (lb-4): 4; Total (for nine wkts. in 79.4 overs): 259. Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-0, 3-89, 4-100, 5-140, 6-142, 7-182, 8-198, 9-220. Chhattisgarh bowling: Aditya 7-1-28-3, Dharmendrasinh 32-6-87-2, Jayant 22.4-5-66-2, Ajay 18-0-74-2.
The victory was Hyderabad’s third of the Ranji Trophy season and strengthened their position atop the Elite Group B table.
