SMAT 2025-26: Hemanth Reddy shines with a brilliant 109 for Andhra Pradesh — here’s everything to know about the rising star.
Remember the name, Maramreddy Hemanth Reddy. The Andhra Pradesh batter cracked 109 not out off 53 balls with 11 fours and seven sixes to take his team from the brink of defeat to a memorable win by five wickets in the Super League Group A match against Punjab in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26 (SMAT) in Pune on December 14.
Andhra Pradesh were staring at defeat when they were down and out at 56-5 in the eighth over chasing 206 for a win. What followed then was carnage as Hemanth brought out his big hits to the fore to break a few of his captain Ricky Bhui’s records on the way to the finish line.
First, Hemanth’s 109* is the highest individual T20 score for Andhra Pradesh in SMAT history, going past Bhui’s 108*. Moreover, Hemanth’s 86 runs in boundaries is the most runs scored in fours and sixes for Andhra Pradesh, going past Shaik Rasheed’s 76. Besides, Hemanth partnered with SDNV Prasad (53 not out) to stitch a stand of unbroken 155 runs – the highest for any wicket for Andhra Pradesh in T20 cricket. It beats the previous record of 150 between Bhui and Girinath Reddy.
A look at Hemanth’s batting shows his range of T20 strokes – from lofted shots, sweeps, reverse sweeps, scoops, flicks and ramps behind the wicket, and inside out shots over long leg. Hemanth looks like a complete T20 batter who loves to dominate the bowling attack. Batting at a strike rate of 205.66, Hemanth saw his team home with some fearless hitting against Punjab. This bodes well for his future, especially in the Indian Premier League, as his name is set to create a bidding war when the auction for the next season commences on December 16.
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Is it too early to judge Hemanth’s game?
The Punjab game was Hemanth Reddy’s second T20 game, but the right-hand batter has made his presence felt with his fearless and explosive batting. He has also played two First Class matches, but has not scored many runs so far. He is also a leg-break bowler, but has no wickets to show so far, either in T20s or First-Class cricket. However, in his debut match for Andhra Pradesh in the SMAT last season, he bowled four overs for just 11 runs when he came in as an impact player. Hence, his utility as a part-time bowler cannot be undermined.
What lies ahead for Hemanth Reddy?
Hemanth is certainly poised to spark a bidding war in the IPL 2026 auction after his timely knock in T20s. If he does land a high-value contract, the pressure will be on him to justify the price tag. But going by Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s rise as a T20 cricketer who blazed in the last IPL season, Hemanth, too, could be a good asset for whichever team he plays for in the next IPL season. Teams can play him as an enforcer at No. 3 or as a finisher, considering his big-hitting skills, ability to handle pressure, and get the team across the finish line as he showed in the game against Punjab.
Relive 🎥
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) December 14, 2025
A fabulous knock under pressure 💪
M Hemanth Reddy smashed a magnificent 109*(53) to help Andhra chase down 206 against Punjab after they were reeling at 56/5 👌
Scorecard ▶️https://t.co/ninIhnJLMU#SMAT | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/2JcohRz78m
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