Himateja’s Ascent: Aiming for a Landmark Cricket Season

On a blistering Saturday at Chennai’s CSK-HPC grounds, the conditions tested both endurance and skill for the batsmen. Kodimela Himateja managed to endure 221 deliveries, coming agonizingly close to a century but ultimately falling just short — a harsh turn of events that denied him a perfect way to mark his 24th birthday during a tournament final.

“I could have persevered further,” Himateja reflected. “It would’ve been a special achievement; still, it was a good day nonetheless.”

His score of 97 against TNCA President’s XI in the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament placed Hyderabad in a favourable position, achieved through sheer determination. “They were disciplined and even cut off singles, so it was about grinding through that phase. Runs were hard to come by in the middle overs, but we stayed resilient,” Himateja shared with Sportstar.

Enduring tough phases is a familiar scenario for Himateja. In the 2024-25 season, he became the first cricketer from the Adilabad district in North Telangana to represent Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy.

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“My journey has been tough yet rewarding,” he said. “Reflecting on it, I’ve ascended each step, and that experience now aids me in the senior side.” Since his First-Class debut, cricket has gained traction in his district, inspiring kids to take the sport seriously as a potential career.

After beginning his cricket career in district-level competitions, Himateja relocated to Hyderabad in 2017 for the city’s division leagues. “I pursued engineering in Hyderabad and completed my degree last year,” he mentioned.

He made his mark in age-group cricket, captaining Hyderabad in the 2023-24 Col. CK Nayudu Trophy and scoring 851 runs in nine innings at an average of 106.38, with a top score of 299 against Baroda. His performance earned him a call-up to the senior team for the 2024 Buchi Babu Trophy, where he accumulated 243 runs in six innings. “Hyderabad already had a lot of left-handers, so breaking through from the Under-23s was significant for me,” he reflected.

In his inaugural First-Class season, he demonstrated his capabilities, scoring 523 runs in seven matches and cementing his place in the team. “I believe this game requires patience, and I’ve exhibited that. When challenges arise, enduring them leads to opportunities; that’s when the runs come,” he explained.

Gaining insights from the past season and the current Buchi Babu Trophy, Himateja feels his grasp of the game has expanded. “This preparatory tournament has been a valuable learning experience. With each match, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the nuances of the game.”

Now, he aims to turn this growth into a standout campaign. “The level of competition is high everywhere, and excelling in competitions like the Duleep Trophy or India A would be significant. For now, I’m concentrating on taking it one game at a time.”

Published on September 6, 2025