Buchi Babu Trophy 2025: G. Anikethreddy wants to “set the bar higher” after impressive tournament

Buchi Babu Trophy 2025: G. Anikethreddy wants to “set the bar higher” after impressive tournament

G. Anikethreddy had his hands on his face and squatted in disbelief as yet another delivery beat the bat without reward. After repeating the routine countless times, he finally lured half-centurion Baba Indrajith into a drive and had him caught at cover — a timely strike and a big breakthrough to put Hyderabad ahead of TNCA President’s XI in the Buchi Babu Trophy final in Chennai.

Fittingly, the left-arm spinner claimed the final wicket to secure Hyderabad a first innings lead, tightening its grip on the title it is defending. “We believed we could pull it off, but we knew we’d have to grind it out,” Aniketh told  Sportstar after the third day’s play at the CSK-HPC ground.

“The plan was simple: keep bowling in the right areas, stay tight, and let the batter make the mistake. We were enjoying ourselves out there. Personally, I love these kinds of pressure situations — I feel I come out stronger in them,” he added.

Throughout the tournament, Aniketh has used his dip and turn to draw batters forward and beat them on the outside edge. Despite plenty of near-misses, he has still managed 14 wickets in nine innings.

“Before the Ranji Trophy, this is great practice. For me, it’s about sticking to the basics and trusting the process,” he said.

The 25-year-old, who hails from the Nizamabad district in Telangana, was recently named as a stand-by for the South Zone squad in the Duleep Trophy final. While acknowledging that “good things happen,” he insists his focus remains on working hard rather than looking too far ahead.

His immediate target is clear. “This Ranji season, I aim to take 45–50 wickets. Last year, I managed 29, although I had set 35 in mind. This time I want to set the bar higher, and I feel ready for it,” Aniketh, who has 45 wickets in 12 First-Class matches, said. 

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

A childhood admirer of Daniel Vettori, he got the chance to meet his idol during a stint as a net bowler with Sunrisers Hyderabad. “We spoke about my bowling and he told me I was doing well,” Aniketh recalled. Among Indians, he looks up to Ravindra Jadeja and is now sharpening his batting to evolve into a valuable all-rounder.

Aniketh is optimistic that an Indian Premier League (IPL) call isn’t far away. “I think I am there — hopefully I’ll knock on the door in the next one or two years,” he said with confidence.

Published on Sep 08, 2025