After languishing in the Plate division for three years, the Hyderbabad under-19 team qualified for the Elite group this season. The feat could be achieved largely due to the efforts of players like all-rounder Ashish Reddy, leg-spinner Akash Bhandari, medium-pacers Vivek Krishna and P Kaneshkk Naidu. They made a mark with significant contributions that helped Hyderabad stage a comeback to the Elite division. ``The credit should go to the boys. They played very good cricket, particularly in the play-off match against Assam at Tinsukia,’’ said a delighted coach R Sridhar.
But it was the performances of Reddy, Bhandari, Naidu and Krishna that caught the eye. Ashish Reddy, who led the side in the absence of opener Akshath Reddy (selected for the Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand), was a stand-out performer in the tournament. The big-hitting Ashish stole the thunder with a 224-ball 244, with help of 14 sixes and 24 fours, against Assam in the play-off match at Tinsukia in Assam. ``It was a crucial match and I had to perform,’’ said the 19-year-old Ashish, a product of Vijaya Paul Cricket Academy. But then Ashish has performed in tight situations, be it with the bat or ball. ``I love to whack the ball hard. Batting comes naturally to me,’’ said Ashish, who idolises Sachin Tendulkar. The second year B Com student from Bhavan’s Sainikpuri amassed 544 runs this season, including two centuries and one double century.
Ashish has also been useful with his swing bowling and has taken wickets with his late out-swingers. He has 15 wickets. Seeing his all-round talent, Deccan Chargers have roped in this Hyderabadi cricketer for the IPL third edition. ``It is a big moment for me. I have a good chance to play alongside big cricketers,’’ said Ashish.
Coach Sridhar feels that this all-rounder has got tremendous future. ``He could be Hyderabad’s big gain with his all round game. He is an explosive batsman and his medium pace bowling often comes in handy, particularly in the shorter version of the game. If he works hard, he can make an impact in big games,’’ said Sridhar.
Also, to steal the limelight is Akash Bhandari. The leg-spinner played a big role with his wicket-taking abilities as he captured 32 wickets and contributed effectively with the willow by scoring 265 runs. The 17-year-old, who has followed in the footsteps of his father Ashok (a league cricketer), took to leg spin bowling from a young age. ``I love challenges,’’ said Akash. An admirer of the legendary Shane Warne, Akash is not afraid of flighting the ball. ``I like to purchase the wickets and I’m not scared to give the ball a good loop. Variation is very important,’’ said a confident Akash. He has also learnt to bowl the flippers. ``I took a lot of wickets with flippers. I do watch the clippings of Warne and it has helped me a lot,’’ said Akash, who had 11-wicket haul against Railways in the Plate league match (6/56 and 5/60). The leg-spinner came up with a match-winning haul against Assam in the play-off match (66 and 3/62). Coach Sridhar thinks Akash can be a match-winner for Hyderabad. ``He has a good loop and bowls with lot of variation. That is the key,’’ said Sridhar.
The tall Vivek Krishna struck some lethal blows at the top. He took 24 wickets and always gave Hyderabad the early breakthroughs. ``I love to bowl fast,’’ said Krishna, a product of Hindu Mahavidyala. The 19-year-old Aurobindo College student has the ability to bowl very sharp outswingers and good bouncers. ``I bagged a lot of wickets through bouncers,’’ said Krishna, a fan of New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond. According to Sridhar, Krishna can be pretty quick with the ball. ``He bowls wicket-to-wicket and can be a dangerous bowler on slightly helpful wickets,’’ said Sridhar.
Kaneshkk Naidu is effective with new ball and is also a good lower middle-order batsman. An agile slip fielder, Naidu has very good attitude towards the game. He captured 28 wickets and has rescued Hyderabad on number of occasions with his mature batting. He swings the ball around and has the ability to beat the batsman with late movement of the ball. ``He is a good utility cricketer. He can be effective both with the bat and the ball,‘‘ said Sridhar.
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