Buchi Babu Trophy 2025: G. Anikethreddy Aims to Raise the Stakes After Stellar Performance

G. Anikethreddy was in disbelief, hands on his face, as he squatted after another delivery missed the bat without a reward. However, his persistence paid off when he finally tempted half-centurion Baba Indrajith into playing a drive, resulting in a crucial catch at cover. This big breakthrough propelled Hyderabad ahead of TNCA President’s XI in the Buchi Babu Trophy final in Chennai.

Appropriately, the left-arm spinner claimed the last wicket, granting Hyderabad a first-innings lead and strengthening its defense of the title. “We believed we could achieve this, but we knew it required perseverance,” Aniketh shared with Sportstar after the third day’s play at the CSK-HPC ground.

“Our strategy was straightforward: bowl in the right areas, maintain consistency, and let the batter make mistakes. We enjoyed every moment out there. Personally, I thrive in these pressure situations — they make me stronger,” he added.

The entire tournament saw Aniketh skillfully using his dip and turn to mislead batters into mistimed shots, yielding 14 wickets in nine innings despite several near successes. “This is excellent preparation for the Ranji Trophy. It’s all about sticking to basics and trusting the process,” he noted.

The 25-year-old hailing from Nizamabad district in Telangana was recently selected as a stand-by for the South Zone squad in the Duleep Trophy final. While acknowledging that “good things happen,” Aniketh remains focused on hard work instead of looking too far into the future.

His immediate goal is clear: “This Ranji season, I want to take 45–50 wickets. Last year I managed 29, even though my target was 35. This time, I’m setting the bar higher and I’m prepared,” stated Aniketh, who has taken 45 wickets in 12 First-Class matches.

Unlike most modern left-arm spinners, Aniketh retains a diagonal run-up, a habit from his early years. “Bowling diagonally provides a natural angle, with the ball curving in and dipping more,” he explained.

A longtime admirer of Daniel Vettori, Aniketh had the opportunity to meet his idol during his time as a net bowler with Sunrisers Hyderabad. “We talked about my bowling, and he encouraged me,” Aniketh recalled. Among Indian players, he looks up to Ravindra Jadeja and is working on improving his batting to become a valuable all-rounder.

Aniketh is hopeful for an Indian Premier League (IPL) opportunity in the near future. “I think I’m close — hopefully, I’ll make my mark in the next year or two,” he said confidently.

Published on Sep 08, 2025