In an action-packed 3rd T20 clash of WAPL 2026 at the ACA Stadium, Mangalagiri, Amaravati E Champions Women (AEC-W) locked horns with Rayalaseema Xen Stars Women (RXS-W) in an edge-of-the-seat thriller.
Opting to set the tone early on a cloudy afternoon, AEC-W’s openers set up a magnificent launchpad. Opening batters Parasa Lakshmi and captain Neeragattu Anusha constructed a remarkably steady partnership to lay a formidable platform. Lakshmi grounded the innings with an impressive 50 off 44 balls featuring 5 boundaries and 2 maxes, while skipper Anusha anchored brilliantly from the other end with 46 off 41 deliveries, smashing 5 boundaries and a hit over the fence. The initial breakthrough for RXS-W came when Ellulla Padmaja removed Parasa Lakshmi (caught by Reddy).
Soon after, Bareddy Anusha dismissed skipper Anusha (caught by Lakshmi), breaking the strong foundation. Despite losing both set openers, AEC-W maintained their momentum through a blistering late-overs assault. Katragadda Deeksha stole the show with a sparkling, unbeaten counter-attack, blasting 48 runs off just 22 balls at a staggering strike rate of 218.18, laced with 4 boundaries and 3 giant sixes. Kandregula Devika made a brief appearance scoring 4 off 5 balls before being caught by Sai off Padmaja’s bowling, but Katta Mahanthi Sree provided final-over fireworks, chipping in with a quickfire 13* off 8 balls (including 1 boundary).
For RXS-W, skipper Ellulla Padmaja (1/27 in 4 overs) and Bareddy Anusha (1/19 in 4 overs) held their ground with disciplined spells. Malakonda Poojitha claimed 1/20 in her 2 overs, while Avula Sireesha (0/7 in 1 over), Vasavi Pavani (0/45 in 4 overs), Sajja Lakshmi (0/10 in 1 over), Kokkiligadda Dhathri (0/23 in 3 overs), and Vemulapati Setu Sai (0/11 in 1 over) struggled to contain the run flow, allowing AEC-W to reach a commandingly tall score of 163/3.
Chasing a target of 164, Rayalaseema Xen Stars Women got off to a brisk start. Opener Vemulapati Setu Sai struck a snappy 20 off 14 balls (4 boundaries) before falling caught by Deeksha off Tarini Joshi, with the score at 39/1 in 3.4 overs. Her partner Kolathur Subhashri compiled a useful 22 off 15 balls with 4 boundaries, while Vasavi Pavani contributed a quick 16 off 11 balls (3 boundaries). However, Kandregula Devika swung the tide in AEC-W’s favor by dismissing both Pavani (61/2 in 5.1 overs) and Subhashri (62/3 in 5.5 overs), with both catches taken by Sree.
Greeshma Saini Reddy kept RXS-W right in the hunt with an explosive 39 off 24 balls, hitting 3 fours and 2 sixes, before she was clean-bowled by Kasri Sai Poojitha. The turning point came when AEC-W’s Kasri Sai Poojitha unleashed an absolute masterclass in spin bowling during the middle and final overs. Poojitha systematically dismantled RXS-W’s middle order, picking up 4 for 23 in her 4 overs. Avula Sireesha fought valiantly with a gritty 20 off 27 balls before being caught by Anusha off Bogiya Sai Deepthy. Poojitha then sent back skipper Ellulla Padmaja (0 off 1 ball, caught by Hamsa) and Sajja Lakshmi (0 off 1 ball, caught by Deeksha) in rapid succession, before having Bareddy Anusha (12 off 8 balls) caught by Prasanna.
Down the order, Kokkiligadda Dhathri managed 3 off 6 balls before being run out by Deeksha, while Hema Roshini (6* off 8) and Malakonda Poojitha (4* off 5) remained unbeaten. AEC-W’s bowling effort was spearheaded by Poojitha (4/23) and supported strongly by Kandregula Devika (2/14 in 4 overs) and Bogiya Sai Deepthy (1/31 in 4 overs). Tarini Joshi grabbed 1/25 in 3 overs, while Ankani Vishnu Priya (0/14 in 1 over), S Lakshmi Prasanna (0/16 in 1 over), and K Hamsa (0/27 in 3 overs) kept the pressure on. Restricting RXS-W to 156/9 in their 20 overs, Amaravati E Champions Women sealed a thrilling 7-run victory.
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Source: femalecricket.com
