The wait felt longer than the summer evening itself.

The opening ceremony seemed to go on endlessly. Tournament ambassador Vijay Deverakonda reminisced about childhood memories of V.V.S. Laxman, while Mohammed Siraj and Ambati Rayudu encouraged youngsters to make the most of the opportunity before them.

Music director S. Thaman and his troupe transformed the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium into a concert arena, belting out Tollywood chartbusters well past the scheduled toss time. When the music finally faded, the inaugural season of TG20 got underway on Sunday, with the Khammam Aces eventually registering a 20-run win over Palamuru Strikers.

Asked to bat first, Aces made an impressive start. Wafi Kachchi and G.S. Krishna Reddy came out with intent, the former taking on S. Nipun Reddy with three fours and the latter launching three sixes off M. Ravi Kiran.

Wafi started to find the fence with ease, adding a scorching straight six to his tally. The 19-year-old raced to his half-century off just 24 deliveries, aided by Md. Afreedi Ahmed dropping a regulation catch at deep square-leg when he was on 32.

But Strikers finally found a breakthrough, Wafi’s miscued shot being safely pouched by B. Rathan Teja, who stretched out at point to complete the catch. The dismissal only provided momentary relief for Strikers.

Krishna continued to keep the scoreboard moving, bringing up his fifty off 29 balls, before Rohit Rayudu ended his stay. Aces lost Mickil Jaiswal and Prateek Reddy in quick succession, handing Strikers a way back into the contest.

K. Himateja, however, ensured Aces did not lose momentum — Afreedi, Rohit and Prithvi were all dispatched with authority as the 24-year-old found the gaps at will. Two successful reviews from Aces further drained the Strikers’ energy, and Himateja surged to a half-century off just 21 balls during his unbeaten knock. Ravi Kiran conceded 16 runs in the final over as Aces posted an imposing 237 for five.

Strikers began a daunting chase cautiously before A. Vignesh Reddy ignited the innings. Benefiting from a mix of wayward fielding and fortune, he capitalised ruthlessly, tearing into M. Siddhu Nayak with four fours and a towering six over cover.

The introduction of spin made no difference. Vignesh continued his assault, lofting E. Vidyananda Reddy to the fence and bringing up a blistering half-century off just 17 deliveries. By the end of the PowerPlay, 85 runs were chalked off the target.

Aces nearly compounded their troubles when Wafi spilled a low chance running in from long-on. Redemption arrived quickly, however, as he held on to a simple catch at the same position two deliveries later to dismiss the dangerous Vignesh off A. Ved Reddy.

Sixteen-year-old Ved struck again in his next over, Vidyananda holding on in the deep after a brief juggle to remove captain Sai Pragnay Reddy.

The blows pushed the required rate beyond 12, and Strikers, despite their bright start, were left with a mountain just too steep to scale.

The scores: Khammam Aces 237/5 in 20 overs (Wafi Kachchi 60, G.S. Krishna Reddy 52, K. Himateja 59 n.o.) bt Palamuru Strikers 217/6 in 20 overs (A. Vignesh Reddy 86).