Hyderabad Skipper Rahul Singh Eyes Ranji Triumph Post Buchi Babu Success

Rahul Singh guided Hyderabad to its second consecutive Buchi Babu Tournament victory, narrowly defeating the TNCA President’s XI with a 23-run lead in the first innings at the CSK-HPC ground in Chennai. For the 29-year-old captain, the win represented more than just a trophy; it showed his team’s ability to compete and win against strong teams like the host squads, Haryana, and Punjab.

The title defense wasn’t easy. Hyderabad had to overcome several challenges throughout the tournament. In the match against Jharkhand, they nearly lost a chase of just 84 runs but managed to pull through from a precarious 61 for eight. Against Punjab, they demonstrated resilience by successfully chasing 292 in a high-pressure scenario. Rahul sees these intense matches as revealing both the team’s resilience and areas needing improvement.

As Hyderabad prepares for the domestic season, Rahul believes this tournament has bolstered the team’s self-confidence and provided valuable lessons for future challenges. More importantly, Rahul is hopeful that his team can secure a spot in the Ranji Trophy knockout stages, a long-standing goal for them.

Q: The final was intense, even with Hyderabad taking the first innings lead. What did you tell your team?

A: When they had three wickets remaining, I reminded my team that achieving the lead was only half the battle, as we still needed to bat. The pitch was turning and challenging to bat on, so I wanted them to stay mentally prepared. After securing the lead, I urged them to remain focused and bat patiently until the match was secure. Rahul Radesh and Varun Goud played excellently, showing that our younger players can rise to the occasion.

Q: Varun Goud was a standout player. Can you talk about his journey and contributions?

A: Varun has had an impressive journey with some setbacks, but he’s made a strong comeback. This was my first time seeing him play, and he provided the team with assurance through his composed and methodical batting style, which was crucial during the tournament. With Varun in our middle order, we feel confident and optimistic about our upcoming matches. He’s demonstrated his talent across formats, notably with a win against Karnataka in the Vijay Hazare Trophy last season.

Q: What was the biggest learning from this tournament?

A: This was a demanding tournament, and we faced situations where we might have lost the lead or the match, but we held on. This resilience has bolstered our confidence. However, there were moments when we were in control but let it slip, teaching us not to let our guard down. Across the tournament, players like Tanmay Agarwal, Tanay Thyagarajan, G. Anikethreddy, Nitin Sai Yadav, and Rohit Rayudu made important contributions.

Q: How have you evolved as a leader?

A: Being a captain has taught me patience. It helps to remain calm and not push too hard. Consistency is key. In this final, we bowled strategically without conceding easy runs. I’m learning to trust my players’ abilities more.

Q: How did you prepare for the tournament’s varying formats?

A: We started by focusing on strike rotation in the limited-overs phase and not conceding singles. We also played two-day games in our local league, giving us some familiarity. Transitioning to the multi-day format allowed batters like Varun to play patiently, and bowlers to avoid rushing.

Q: What role did the weather play in this tournament?

A: The heat was challenging, especially with a demanding schedule. It was tiring, and some players struggled with minor injuries due to the conditions. We’re looking forward to a short break before preparing for the next events.

Q: How significant are higher-level selections for your players?

A: Seeing players like Tanmay and Tanay move up after performing well is motivating. We hope to see more of our players in higher-level tournaments next year. Young talents like Himateja, Radesh, and Varun have the potential to be selected as well.

Q: Do you believe Hyderabad can reach the Ranji Trophy knockouts this season?

A: I believe we can make it to the Ranji knockouts. Although we haven’t been very successful recently, we have a good mix of experienced and young players who work well together. The consistency of selectors also helps, as players feel secure knowing good performances will be recognized. The team spirit is uplifting, and we’re hopeful this momentum will carry us through the Ranji Trophy season.

Published on Sep 09, 2025