A day of shifting momentum at the scenic ACA Stadium in Mulapadu saw Hyderabad take early control in its Ranji Trophy 2026-27 clash with Andhra, only for the home side to claw its way back after lunch.

Tanmay Agarwal got the match going, using the pace of the ball to flick one to the boundary. He and Abhirath Reddy absorbed early pressure while keeping the scoreboard moving with well-timed fours. Hyderabad reached 50 in 14 overs, 32 of them coming in boundaries.

Abhirath accelerated after drinks, finding the gaps with ease and bringing up his half-century in 73 balls as Andhra’s bowlers struggled to make a dent. The breakthrough came against the run of play, when Tanmay’s attempted sweep landed in Abhishek Reddy’s hands.

Lunch was taken with Hyderabad firmly on top, but Andhra returned a transformed side. Whatever head coach Gary Stead said during the break worked almost instantly: Abhirath’s mistimed drive found Ricky Bhui, handing Saurabh Kumar his second wicket.

From there on, wickets fell at regular intervals. Saurabh sent back Rahul Singh for his third, and Tripurana Vijay removed the explosive K. Himateja. Hyderabad arrested the bleed briefly, with a 53-run stand between Pragnay Reddy and Rahul Radesh.

But Lalith Mohan eagerly played spoilsport right before tea, beating Pragnay with turn to take a bail off. C.V. Milind fell soon after Hyderabad crossed 200.

A handful of fans made their way to the fences and stood by to welcome Mohammed Siraj, a regional darling even if as the visiting captain in this game. He made it worth their while with a well-timed six over long off. Radesh, meanwhile, held firm and reached a patient 103-ball half-century before running out of partners.

Abhishek and Hemanth Reddy then negotiated two overs without trouble, leaving Andhra with the upper hand at stumps.

The scores: Hyderabad — 1st innings: Tanmay Agarwal c Abhishek b Saurabh 42, Abhirath Reddy c Bhui b Saurabh 67, Rahul Singh c Hemanth b Saurabh 20, K. Himateja c Bhui b Vijay 10, Pragnay Reddy b Lalith 31, Rahul Radesh (not out) 58, C.V. Milind lbw b Lalith 1, Aniketh Reddy c Rahul b Vijay 9, Tanay Thyagarajann c Revanth b Vijay 14, Ruthik Yadav b Vijay 7, Mohammed Siraj c Revanth b Lalith 6; Extras (b-5, lb-3, nb-2): 10; Total (in 86 overs): 275.

Fall of wickets: 1-109, 2-120, 3-133, 4-141, 5-194, 6-200, 7-211, 8-245, 9-253.

Andhra bowling: Saiteja 7-2-18-0, Lalith 22-3-78-3, Sasikanth 4-3-6-0, Vijay 27-5-90-4, Saurabh 26-6-75-3.

Andhra 1st innings: Hemanth Reddy (batting) 4, Abhishek Reddy (batting) 5; Total (for no wkts. in two overs): 9.

Hyderabad bowling: Tanay 1-0-4-0, Aniketh 1-0-5-0.

Toss: Hyderabad.