The Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2024 began with a series of thrilling performances, including a record-breaking century by Punjab’s Amolpreet Singh and a blazing knock from Mumbai captain Shreyas Iyer. These standout performances set the stage for an exciting start to India’s premier domestic one-day tournament.
Punjab’s Amolpreet Singh etched his name in cricket history by smashing the fastest List-A century by an Indian batter. Playing against Arunachal Pradesh in a Group C match, the uncapped batter scored an unbeaten 115 off just 45 balls, helping Punjab chase down a 165-run target in just 12.1 overs with nine wickets to spare.
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Amolpreet’s century came off just 35 balls, breaking Yusuf Pathan’s previous record of a 40-ball ton, achieved during the 2009/10 domestic season. His knock, which included 12 fours and nine sixes at a strike rate of 255.55, is the third-fastest List-A century overall, behind Australia’s Jake Fraser-McGurk (29 balls) and South Africa’s AB de Villiers (31 balls).
In a high-scoring encounter between Mumbai and Karnataka, Shreyas Iyer led his team with a stunning 55-ball 114, featuring five fours and ten sixes at a strike rate of 207.27. Mumbai posted a mammoth total of 382/4 in their 50 overs, thanks to additional contributions from Hardik Tamore (84 off 94 balls), Ayush Mhatre (78 off 82 balls), and Shivam Dube (63* off 36 balls).
However, Karnataka chased down the target with ease, reaching 383/6 in 46.2 overs, led by a match-winning 150* from Krishnan Shrijith and supporting fifties from KV Aneesh (82 off 66 balls) and Praveen Dubey (65* off 50 balls).
Iyer, who has been in sublime domestic form since his return from injury, has amassed 1,130 runs in 20 domestic matches this year, averaging 59.47 with four centuries and four fifties. Despite being overlooked for a central contract by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), he has led Mumbai to several titles, including the Ranji Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and remains a key figure in Indian domestic cricket.
Other Key Performances on Opening Day
- Rajat Patidar Leads Madhya Pradesh
MP skipper Rajat Patidar, fresh from a stellar Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy season, scored a quick 55 off 33 balls to help his team chase down Bihar’s target of 197 in just 25.1 overs. Harsh Gawli also contributed with an 83 off 63 balls in the comfortable victory. - Abishek Porel’s Heroics for Bengal
Bengal’s Abishek Porel played a stunning unbeaten knock of 170* off 130 balls, including 18 fours and seven sixes, as he single-handedly chased down Delhi’s target of 273 in 41.3 overs with six wickets in hand. Earlier, Mukesh Kumar led Bengal’s bowling with figures of 4/66 in 10 overs, restricting Delhi to 272/7.
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