Whereas Hyderabad’s victory towards Himachal Pradesh takes it to the highest of the desk in Ranji Trophy Elite Group D, the win was sweeter as a result of trials and tribulations the staff needed to endure on its method to Nadaun.
Runway repairs on the Chandigarh airport meant your entire unit, after the match in Pondicherry, noticed its journey divided into three legs over 22 hours.
“It was an extended and tiring journey. Pondicherry was humid, the place we fielded in the long run. We have been very exhausted,” Hyderabad head coach D.B. Ravi Teja informed Sportstar.
Their troubles didn’t finish there.
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“We couldn’t have a correct coaching session as soon as we reached as a result of our equipment luggage didn’t arrive. They often come by cargo, which obtained delayed. So we simply went to the bottom, noticed how the wicket was, assessed the circumstances, and tried to get used to the atmosphere. We had a small restoration session with the coach. That’s it. Then we performed a small recreation and went again,” he disclosed.
Regardless of the challenges, Hyderabad remained centered and, powered by Abhirath Reddy’s unbeaten 175 (200 b, 19×4, 3×6), defeated Himachal Pradesh by 4 wickets.
“We travelled by a semi-sleeper bus and reached Nadaun at 5 o’clock within the morning. I slept on the ground in between the seats en route as I assumed it’d be extra comfy, whereas most slept on the seat itself,” Abhirath recalled, earlier than addressing his knock.
“Once we began the ultimate day, we thought that the wicket would help swing solely within the first session and that we may dominate their spinners later. We performed for the win, as we’ll in any match this season.”
He additionally credited the function performed by Rahul Radesh – the pair’s 145-run stand laying the foundations for victory.
“He has a steady model. He’s a correct Take a look at batter who can maintain one find yourself. If you’re with him, you may play your regular attacking recreation. General, we have been in good spirits. We have now been so via the low season too. Because the squad has remained fairly steady throughout seasons, we wish to profit from it this time.”
That consistency in squad choice is one thing Hyderabad has seen solely within the final couple of years, and Ravi Teja is proud of the event.
“It’s good that the selectors have been sticking to the identical core. For those who don’t give gamers sufficient alternatives and maintain altering the staff each two or three video games, that can hamper every thing. We don’t know the way rapidly a brand new participant will adapt to the sport plans and stuff,” he mentioned.
“I really feel assured now. There’s safety, I do know that the selectors will again me even when I stumble as soon as,” Abhirath added.
The match-winning knock was additionally a second of redemption for Abhirath. He tore his hamstring within the opening match of Hyderabad’s victorious Buchi Babu marketing campaign earlier this 12 months, managing to get well in time for the Ranji marketing campaign.
“I needed to do full aggressive rehab, which was a battle. At some point, I felt I might get well earlier than the primary [Ranji] match; one other day, I wasn’t positive. Nevertheless it all feels price it now,” he admitted.
It wasn’t the one factor on Abhirath’s thoughts heading into the ultimate day, having dropped a easy catch on day three, which ended up proving pricey.
“I dropped a schoolboy catch when Akash Vasisht was in single digits, and he hit a century. It wasn’t straightforward to maneuver on from that. However I considered Mohammed Siraj dropping Harry Brook’s catch and later sealing the win the following day. I assumed I may additionally do the identical for the staff, if I obtained an opportunity.”
Staying within the current
Regardless of sitting on the prime of the desk, Ravi Teja didn’t draw back from addressing the staff’s weaknesses – its tempo battery,
“This batting unit is the most effective in India. The spin division has additionally been doing very well this season. Our solely concern is concerning the pacers contributing just a little bit extra. It’s not that they don’t have a talent or something, however they lack expertise. Typically, they struggle an excessive amount of to get wickets. They have to be just a little disciplined of their bowling, decide the best channels and persist with their strengths,” he mentioned.
“That’s what we’ve got tried on this recreation. You possibly can see the distinction between the primary and second innings. We have to persist with our limitations; they would be the key for them this season. In a really quick span of time, we are able to’t change a lot. So the most effective factor to do is to stay to our strengths and bowl in a disciplined method.”
That mentioned, the 38-year-old is banking on Hyderabad’s greatest ace – the gamers’ perception in crossing any and each hurdle – forward of powerful fixtures, together with a house fixture towards 42-time champion Mumbai later within the season.
“This aspect’s power is its unity. My favorite reminiscence thus far is the way in which we responded towards Delhi, once they declared at 520-odd. There was no speak about not chasing it. Everybody was desirous to get the job completed and it confirmed me the type of mindset my gamers have,” he mentioned.
“In such video games, gamers may be unfavourable, get defensive, and take into consideration drawing the sport. However that wasn’t the case right here. Not a single participant was fascinated with a draw. They wished to do one thing particular.”
Subsequent up for Hyderabad is a conflict at residence with Rajasthan, beginning November 8. Fortunately, a way more comfy journey awaits them this time round.
“Tomorrow, we’ve got an extended journey once more, nevertheless it received’t be so dangerous, we’re flying out. We’re going from right here to Dharamsala, then to Delhi, and from there to Hyderabad.”
Printed on Nov 04, 2025