Hyderabad will go for a third straight Ranji Trophy victory when they take on Punjab in their third Elite Group B match, starting Monday at the Jimkhana Ground in Secunderabad. A win would complete a hat-trick of victories for the side, which is already riding high after two consecutive wins.

The home side has beaten Tripura and Andhra so far. Now it faces a Punjab team that the report describes as strong, and Hyderabad are determined to leave no room for doubt. The aim is a clear, decisive result on a pitch expected to produce one.

Venue switch sends the fixture to Jimkhana

Hyderabad’s management moved the match from Uppal to the Jimkhana Ground. The change reflects the team’s push for a clear-cut win, with the pitch at Jimkhana seen as one that will reward a result.

Key absences shape the Hyderabad lineup

Star pacer Mohammed Siraj and India captain Shubman Gill are not available for the match. Both are big names, and their absence means the spotlight falls on the depth in both squads. Hyderabad will be led by pace all-rounder CV Milind, who now carries the captaincy into this contest.

Still, the batting order remains solid. Tanmay Agarwal, Abhirath Reddy, G. Rahul Singh, K. Himatheja and Rahul Radesh give Hyderabad a lineup with plenty of experience and firepower to build an innings.

Spin is the weapon to watch

The bowling story begins with spin. Tanay Tyagarajan has taken 20 wickets across the first two matches, and he will be central to Hyderabad’s hopes. Alongside him, G. Aniket Reddy is expected to be a main weapon. In a contest where the pitch is set to matter, that spin partnership could decide how the match plays out.

Hyderabad, fresh off two straight wins, are looking to complete a hat-trick of victories.

Punjab bring star power and experience

Punjab arrive with IPL star Prabhsimran Singh at the top of their batting group, supported by Saleel Arora and Eeman Jot Singh. Their attack gets extra strength from pacer Umesh Yadav and spinner Harpreet Brar, which gives the visitors a balanced mix of pace and turn to test Hyderabad’s batters.

Both teams have talented players on the field, and the contest is set up as a real test of nerve. For Hyderabad, the target is simple: keep the winning rhythm going and turn a strong start into a third straight victory.

The Andhra link and what it means for Telugu cricket fans

For Andhra Pradesh readers, this fixture carries a personal edge. Andhra was one of the two sides Hyderabad have already beaten in this Ranji Trophy campaign. That makes the Telangana side’s run a story that stretches across both Telugu states, with cricket fans in Andhra Pradesh also tracking how Hyderabad’s streak develops.

Momentum matters in a competition like the Ranji Trophy. A team that wins early builds confidence, and a third straight victory would give Hyderabad a stronger foothold in Elite Group B. The Jimkhana contest offers the chance to turn that belief into points and a clear statement against a strong Punjab side.

Monday’s start at Jimkhana is the next step in that run. Hyderabad have the wins, the venue they chose, and a spin attack that has already delivered. Now they have to finish the job against Punjab and reach the hat-trick.