Rahul Singh led Hyderabad to its second successive Buchi Babu Tournament title, edging TNCA President’s XI on the basis of a 23-run first innings lead in the final at the CSK-HPC ground in Chennai. For the 29-year-old captain, the result was about more than just silverware — it was about seeing his side compete and prevail against quality teams like the host teams, Haryana, and Punjab.
The title defence wasn’t straightforward. Hyderabad had to dig deep at several points in the campaign: Against Jharkhand, the chase of just 84 nearly slipped away before it scraped through after being 61 for eight; Against Punjab, it showed another side of its character, chasing down 292 in a high-pressure contest. For Rahul, these tight contests revealed both the resilience and the areas for growth within his team.
As Hyderabad gears up for the domestic season, Rahul believes this campaign has strengthened the group’s self-belief and offered lessons that it can carry forward into bigger challenges. More importantly, it has given him confidence that this squad has what it takes to push for a Ranji Trophy knockout spot — something the team has been yearning for.
Q: The game was very intense despite Hyderabad taking the first innings lead. What was your message to the team?
A: When they had three wickets left, I told my team that even if we took the lead, that was just 50 per cent of the job done because we still had to bat. The wicket was turning and wasn’t easy to bat on, so I wanted them to be mentally prepared. Once we got the lead, I reminded them to keep their heads down and bat for as long as possible. Only when the match was in our hands could we relax. That’s what happened — Rahul Radesh and Varun Goud batted it out beautifully, and it was really good to see two youngsters doing it for the team.
Varun Goud was adjudged Player of the Tournament for his 438 runs and six wickets.
| Photo Credit:
B JOTHI RAMALINGAM/The Hindu
Varun Goud was adjudged Player of the Tournament for his 438 runs and six wickets.
| Photo Credit:
B JOTHI RAMALINGAM/The Hindu
Q: Varun Goud seems to be the find of the tournament. How has his journey been, and what does he bring to the table?
A: Varun’s journey has been impressive. He has had some hiccups in his career, but has made a strong comeback. I’d always heard about him and how well he plays, but this was the first time I saw him in action. He gave the team a lot of assurance whenever he came in. He’s composed, calm, and likes to take his time, which was exactly what was needed in this tournament. We’re very happy to have a middle-order batter like him. Our middle order looks solid with him there, and we’re confident he’ll continue the same way in the main tournaments. He played the Vijay Hazare Trophy last season and even won us a game against Karnataka with a brilliant knock. So, he’s definitely a multi-format player.
Q: What’s the biggest takeaway from this tournament?
A: This was a tough tournament. There were games where we could have lost the lead or even the match, but we pulled through. Compared to last year, this time, even in difficult situations, we held on — that was encouraging and has boosted the team’s confidence. Of course, there were also games where we were in strong positions but let it slip, so that’s a big learning: not to give up. We had two or three very close games — Punjab was very tight, and against Jharkhand, we were in trouble despite chasing a small target.
It was a team effort, but there were standout performances: Tanmay Agarwal’s hundred against Punjab and Varun’s consistency throughout. Tanay Thyagarajan did well until he left, after which G. Anikethreddy stepped up. Our new spinner, Nitin Sai Yadav, did really well. Rohit Rayudu has been consistent; Radesh kept superbly on difficult wickets and also chipped in with the bat. Everyone contributed when required. We can still improve — hopefully by five to ten per cent in the next tournament.
Q: How have you grown into the leadership role?
A: As captain, I’ve learnt patience. It has calmed me down and stopped me from trying too hard. I’ve been telling my bowlers to stick to one line and bowl consistently. I’ve realised that having many skills doesn’t matter if you’re not consistent. In this game, too, we just didn’t give runs away. They had 50 to get with five wickets in hand, but we kept bowling in the right areas and waited for chances. That’s how we came back. So, patience, belief, and not losing hope — that’s what I’ve learnt. Against Punjab, for instance, we could have bowled slowly and just completed the 45 overs, then chased, but when they started hitting, we thought: we have the skills, let’s go for it. Now I believe more in my players — I know who can do what and when I can bank on them.
Nitin Sai Yadav celebrates after claiming a wicket against TNCA President’s XI.
| Photo Credit:
B JOTHI RAMALINGAM/The Hindu
Nitin Sai Yadav celebrates after claiming a wicket against TNCA President’s XI.
| Photo Credit:
B JOTHI RAMALINGAM/The Hindu
Q: The tournament was played in two formats: a limited-overs one with two innings and then a four-day regular Ranji Trophy format. How did you plan for it?
A: In the first phase, we focused on rotating the strike in the limited-overs format, making sure not to give up singles. We also play two-day games in our A-division league, so we have an idea about it. Then switching to the multi-day format, we knew we had more time, so batters like Varun could take it slow and play long. It was a good switch because bowlers also didn’t have to rush.
Q: How difficult was it to play in this heat?
A: The heat made things tough. The schedule was demanding, with three-day games and just one-day gaps initially. It was very tiring, and a few players had niggles because of the weather. It was an intense tournament. Now, we’re looking forward to a short break before getting back to preparations.
Q: Tanmay and Tanay were selected for the Duleep Trophy. Even Anikethreddy was named in the stand-by list. How important is a selection at a higher level for the player and the team?
A: It’s motivating to see performances being rewarded. Last year, Tanmay did really well in the Ranji Trophy, Tanay also did well, and both got call-ups. Everyone now knows that if you perform for the team, you’ll move up. Hopefully, next year, instead of two, we’ll have four players there. Youngsters like Himateja, Radesh, and Varun are also capable of making it.
Q: Do you guys believe that this season Hyderabad can enter the knockouts in Ranji Trophy?
A: I believe we can qualify for the Ranji knockouts. We haven’t won much recently, but now we have a fresh mix of seniors and juniors, gelling well and complementing each other. The selectors have also been consistent, which helps — the players know if they perform, they’ll be backed. That’s very important, especially for youngsters, to feel secure in the team. The vibe in the group is excellent, and hopefully, we can carry this into the Ranji Trophy season. It’ll be a big boost for the players and their careers.
Published on Sep 09, 2025
