Andhra began their 2026-27 Ranji Trophy campaign with three points after securing a first-innings lead against Karnataka in a drawn encounter at Mulapadu, near Vijayawada. Led by Ricky Bhui and coached by former New Zealand head coach Gary Stead, Andhra will look to build on that performance in their second-round match against Hyderabad.
The opening fixture, played from October 11 to 14, saw Andhra post 418 in their first innings in response to Karnataka's 274. Karnataka fought back through an unbeaten 155 from Karun Nair in the second innings, setting Andhra a target of 194. Andhra reached 104 for four before the match ended in a draw, giving them three points for their first-innings lead.
Seeram Rahul and Revanth Reddy Provide the Batting Foundation
Andhra's first-innings total was built around important contributions from young batters Seeram Rahul and Revanth Reddy. Rahul scored 119, while Revanth made 97, with their 202-run partnership helping Andhra recover and establish a substantial lead over Karnataka.
Both batters also showed composure in the second innings as Andhra attempted to push for an outright victory. However, Nair's resistance prevented the hosts from taking all seven points.
Head coach Gary Stead described the result as a positive start, while acknowledging that Andhra had hoped to take more wickets and force a victory. He also highlighted the performances of Rahul and Revanth as encouraging signs for the campaign.
Andhra Face Hyderabad in Second-Round Fixture
Andhra are scheduled to face Hyderabad from October 18 to 21 at the DVR Ground in Mulapadu. Hyderabad, led by India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, entered the match after beating Tripura by an innings and 40 runs in their opening fixture.
The encounter presents Andhra with an early opportunity to strengthen their position in the group. Playing at a familiar venue could be useful for Bhui's side, although Hyderabad's opening-round victory makes them a challenging opponent.
Andhra's batting unit will again be expected to provide a solid foundation, while the bowlers will need to take wickets consistently if the team is to convert a strong position into an outright win.
Gary Stead Looks to Build on Andhra's Progress
Stead, who coached New Zealand from 2018 to 2025, is continuing his work with Andhra after guiding the side to the Ranji Trophy quarter-finals last season.
The coach has emphasised creating a positive team environment, helping players develop their strengths and improving their approach to pressure situations. Andhra also worked with sports psychologist Mugdha Bavare during their pre-season preparations.
The team finished as quarter-finalists in 2023-24, exited in the group stage in 2024-25 and returned to the quarter-finals in 2025-26. Their immediate objective will be to maintain consistency across the league stage and secure another place in the knockout rounds.
Andhra's Remaining Ranji Trophy League Fixtures
Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
October 18–21 | Hyderabad | Mulapadu |
October 26–29 | Chhattisgarh | Raipur |
November 2–5 | Punjab | New Chandigarh |
January 17–20, 2027 | Saurashtra | Visakhapatnam |
January 24–27, 2027 | Tripura | Agartala |
February 1–4, 2027 | Assam | Visakhapatnam |
Fixture dates are scheduled match windows and may be subject to official updates.
Andhra Squad for Ranji Trophy 2026-27
Captain: Ricky Bhui
Vice-captain: M. Hemanth Reddy
Ricky Bhui (C)
Shaik Rasheed
Saurabh Kumar
Satyanarayana Raju
Kavuri Saiteja
KV Sasikanth
Tripurana Vijay
M. Hemanth Reddy (VC)
Uppara Girinath
Karan Shinde
Lalith Mohan
Seeram Rahul
Abhishek Reddy
Revanth Reddy
Cheepurapalli Stephen
Standby players: K. Ashwin Hebbar, Dhruva Kumar Reddy, M. Madhav Rayudu and T. Bharath.
What Lies Ahead for Andhra?
Andhra's first-innings advantage against Karnataka offered an encouraging start, particularly through the contributions of Rahul and Revanth. The next challenge is to turn competitive performances into outright victories as the league campaign progresses.
The match against Hyderabad will be an important early test for Bhui's team. With Stead continuing to shape the side and several young players contributing, Andhra will aim to build momentum and remain in contention for another quarter-final appearance.
