Vijay Hazare Trophy Sees Record-Breaking Century Barrage, Redefining Domestic List A Standards

The opening day of the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy witnessed an unprecedented display of power hitting, with Sakibul Gani and Ishan Kishan rewriting the record books for the fastest centuries by Indian batsmen in men's List A cricket. Gani's blistering 32-ball century was followed closely by Kishan's 33-ball effort, marking a historic day for Indian domestic cricket.

The record-breaking performances occurred across different venues, with Gani achieving his milestone in Ranchi while playing for Bihar against Arunachal Pradesh in a Plate League fixture. Kishan’s innings took place in Ahmedabad, during Jharkhand's match against Karnataka.

Gani's innings places him among the fastest century-makers in all of List A cricket globally, with only Jake Fraser-McGurk and AB de Villiers having reached the milestone quicker. This performance underscores the potential of players emerging from the Plate League, often overlooked in broader cricketing discussions.

Kishan’s rapid-fire century comes on the heels of a successful Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy season, where he led Jharkhand to victory and topped the run-scoring charts. His recent form is particularly significant, given his recall to India's T20I squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand and the T20 World Cup. Kishan's innings against Karnataka, where he scored 125 off 39 balls, included 7 fours and 14 sixes, demonstrating his ability to accelerate the scoring rate dramatically. Coming in at No. 6, Kishan reached his half-century in 20 balls and then exploded, smashing seven sixes and two fours off his subsequent 13 deliveries to reach his century.

Kishan's comments after the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy victory reveal his determination to excel and force his way into the national team through consistent performance. His List A century further strengthens his case and highlights his adaptability across different formats.

Adding to the day's run-fest was Vaibhav Suryavanshi's explosive 190 off 84 balls, which included a 36-ball century. Suryavanshi also set a record as the youngest List A centurion, further solidifying the day’s significance for emerging talent in Indian cricket. These performances collectively signify a shift in domestic cricket, with batsmen increasingly prioritizing aggressive, high-scoring innings.

The Vijay Hazare Trophy serves as a crucial platform for players to showcase their skills and stake a claim for higher honors. The record-breaking centuries by Gani and Kishan, along with Suryavanshi's feat, will undoubtedly impact team strategies and player selections in the ongoing tournament and beyond. These performances could influence future selection decisions for the Indian national team, particularly in limited-overs formats, where aggressive batting is highly valued.

Editor’s note: This article was independently written by the Scoopliner Editorial Team using publicly available information.