Rahul and Hrishikesh set up Diamonds’ third successive win

For Karimnagar Diamonds, the formula has been simple: bat first, post a 200-plus score powered by a century partnership, and eventually win. It worked for the third straight TG20 match as Diamonds cruised to a 58-run victory over Ranga Reddy Risers at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Thursday.

Tanmay Agarwal and Satwik Reddy gave Diamonds a flying start, adding 42 runs in four overs, before Tanay Jaddu provided the breakthrough in the fifth over. Tanay Thyagarajann removed Satwik in the following over to briefly swing the momentum towards Risers.

But Rahul Radesh and Hrishikesh Simha steadied the innings and later plundered 49 runs in just three overs from the ninth, wresting control back from Risers. Rahul survived a dropped catch by Nanavath Rakesh at deep midwicket on 46 and reached his fifty off 28 balls. Hrishikesh followed him with a 31-ball half-century as the pair stitched together a 65-ball 123-run third-wicket stand — the tournament’s fourth-highest partnership — to propel Diamonds to 230 for five.

Risers’ chase faltered from the outset. Rathlavath Dinesh struck in the opening over to dismiss Avanish Rao and then removed Gnana Prakash Reddy, while Shubham Sharma accounted for Aaron George as Risers slumped to 51 for three inside the PowerPlay.

Aditya Javvaji and Alankrith Rapole briefly revived the pursuit before Rahul’s sharp glovework ended Aditya’s stay on 48. T.V.S. Narayana Teja delivered the decisive blows, dismissing Alankrith and Tanay off successive balls in the 12th over.

The double strike triggered a collapse as Risers ended up well short.

The scores: Karimnagar Diamonds 230/5 in 20 overs (Rahul Radesh 72, Hrishikesh Simha 60) bt Ranga Reddy Risers 172/9 in 20 overs (Aditya Javvaji 48, Shubham Sharma 2/38, T.V.S. Narayana Teja 3/25).