The opening day of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025 was expected to revolve around Indian cricket’s biggest superstars, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. With both icons returning to domestic cricket and captaining their respective sides, the spotlight was firmly fixed on them. However, as the day unfolded, it was Ishan Kishan and Sakibul Gani who completely stole the show, scripting a historic chapter in Indian domestic cricket with record-breaking fastest centuries in List A history.

In a single, astonishing day of cricket, the top two fastest List A centuries by an Indian were rewritten, eclipsing Anmolpreet Singh’s long-standing record. What followed was an extraordinary exhibition of fearless batting, jaw-dropping strike rates and unprecedented team totals that left cricket fans and statisticians stunned.

A day that redefined Indian List A batting

The Vijay Hazare Trophy has long been a breeding ground for Indian batting talent, but rarely has it witnessed such an explosion of records on a single day. From teenage prodigies to seasoned internationals, batters across venues took centre stage, turning the opening round into a festival of sixes and shattered milestones.

While Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s matches attracted massive attention, fate had other plans. Elsewhere, Bihar and Jharkhand produced innings that will be remembered for decades, as bowlers endured one of the toughest days in Indian domestic cricket history.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi sets the tone

The avalanche of records began with 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who announced himself on the national stage in spectacular fashion. Representing Bihar against Arunachal Pradesh, the teenage prodigy smashed a breathtaking century off just 36 balls, briefly becoming the fastest Indian centurion in List A cricket.

Suryavanshi’s fearless strokeplay left spectators in disbelief. His innings not only showcased his prodigious talent but also set the tone for what would soon become an unprecedented batting carnage.

At just 14, Suryavanshi’s knock sent a powerful message about the depth of talent emerging from India’s domestic circuit. However, even as fans were still processing the magnitude of his achievement, another storm was brewing in the same innings.

Sakibul Gani creates history with a 32-ball century

Bihar captain Sakibul Gani walked in at number five with the scoreboard already ticking at a rapid pace. What followed was a display of power-hitting rarely seen even in the shortest formats of the game.

Gani smashed a century off just 32 balls, becoming the fastest Indian to score a List A hundred, obliterating both Suryavanshi’s fresh record and Anmolpreet Singh’s previous mark. His innings was nothing short of extraordinary, combining timing, brute force and complete domination over the bowling attack.

Finishing unbeaten on 128 runs off just 40 balls, Gani struck 10 fours and 12 sixes, registering a staggering strike rate of 320. Every delivery he faced seemed destined for the boundary, as Arunachal Pradesh’s bowlers struggled to find answers.

Bihar script a world record

Powered by Sakibul Gani’s brutal assault, Bihar went on to achieve something never done before in the history of List A cricket. They posted a colossal 574 runs for the loss of six wickets in their allotted 50 overs, creating the highest-ever total in List A cricket worldwide.

The run rate of 11.48 runs per over underlined the sheer scale of dominance displayed by the Bihar batters. Alongside Gani, Vaibhav Suryavanshi narrowly missed out on a double century, while Ayush Loharuka contributed a scintillating 116 off just 56 balls.

In total, Bihar batters hammered an astonishing 38 sixes, turning the match into a nightmare for Arunachal Pradesh and a statistical marvel for cricket historians.

Significance of Bihar’s record-breaking total

Bihar’s mammoth total was not just a domestic milestone but a global List A record, surpassing scores made by elite international teams over decades. It highlighted how modern-day batting, aided by fearless intent and flat pitches, is pushing the boundaries of what was once thought possible in 50-over cricket.

For Bihar, a team that has often operated outside the limelight of Indian domestic cricket, the innings represented a landmark moment, showcasing their emerging strength and ambition.

Ishan Kishan lights up Motera

While Bihar were rewriting history in one corner of the country, Ishan Kishan was orchestrating his own masterclass in another high-profile encounter. Facing Karnataka in the opening match, Kishan delivered one of the most explosive innings ever seen in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Batting at number six, Kishan smashed a 33-ball century, becoming the second-fastest Indian to reach a List A hundred, just one ball slower than Sakibul Gani’s record-breaking effort earlier in the day.

His innings of 125 runs off just 39 balls, laced with seven fours and 14 sixes, came at an extraordinary strike rate of 320.51, mirroring the ferocity displayed by Gani.

Jharkhand post a massive total

Kishan’s onslaught propelled Jharkhand to a formidable 412/9 in their 50 overs, a total that placed Karnataka under immense pressure. The innings was not just about brute force but also reflected Kishan’s growing maturity and leadership.

Coming in down the order, he assessed the situation quickly before launching an all-out assault, ensuring Jharkhand maximised the final overs. His ability to clear the boundary with ease underlined his reputation as one of India’s most destructive white-ball batters.

Ishan Kishan’s redemption arc

For Ishan Kishan, the knock carried immense personal significance. After enduring a two-year absence from Indian cricket, the left-hander has been steadily rebuilding his career through consistent domestic performances.

Earlier in the season, Kishan had already made headlines by leading Jharkhand to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title, where he scored a whirlwind century in the final. That performance played a key role in his recall to the Indian team, earning him a place in the T20 World Cup squad as a backup opener.

The Vijay Hazare Trophy century further strengthened his case, signalling that Kishan is not just back, but back with authority.

A statement innings ahead of national selection

Kishan’s knock was widely viewed as a statement to selectors, reaffirming his ability to dominate bowling attacks across formats. His versatility—batting explosively even from the middle order—adds another dimension to his value as a white-ball cricketer.

With major international tournaments on the horizon, performances like these could significantly influence selection decisions in the months to come.

Records tumble across the country

The opening day of the Vijay Hazare Trophy was remarkable not just for individual brilliance, but for the sheer volume of records that fell. From fastest centuries to highest team totals, the tournament’s opening round set a new benchmark for entertainment and aggression.

Such performances also reflect the evolving nature of Indian domestic cricket, where players are increasingly adopting a fearless approach traditionally associated with T20 cricket, even in the 50-over format.

Impact on the Vijay Hazare Trophy narrative

The early explosion of records has dramatically reshaped the narrative of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Instead of being dominated by familiar international stars, the tournament has been thrown wide open, with new heroes emerging and teams showcasing their batting depth.

For fans, it promises a competition filled with high scores, aggressive intent and constant excitement.

What this means for Indian cricket

The performances of Sakibul Gani, Ishan Kishan and Vaibhav Suryavanshi underline the depth of India’s batting talent. With players across age groups capable of producing match-winning knocks at breathtaking speed, the future of Indian white-ball cricket looks increasingly formidable.

These innings also highlight the importance of domestic tournaments as platforms for talent identification and resurgence, offering players a chance to reinvent themselves and stake a claim for higher honours.

Bowlers face a harsh reality

While batters enjoyed a field day, the opening round served as a sobering reminder for bowlers. Flat pitches, short boundaries and aggressive mindsets combined to create conditions heavily tilted in favour of batting.

However, such challenges also present opportunities for bowlers to adapt, innovate and develop skills essential for success in modern cricket.

Fans witness a historic day

For cricket fans, December 24, 2025, will be remembered as one of the most extraordinary days in Indian domestic cricket. From a 14-year-old prodigy to seasoned internationals, the range of performances on display captured the imagination of the nation.

Social media buzzed with highlights, statistics and reactions, as fans marvelled at the sheer audacity and skill of the batters.

Conclusion

The opening day of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025 will go down in history as a landmark moment for Indian cricket. Sakibul Gani’s 32-ball century, the fastest ever by an Indian in List A cricket, and Ishan Kishan’s 33-ball blitz redefined what is possible in the 50-over format.

Coupled with Bihar’s world-record total of 574 runs and Kishan’s emphatic return to peak form, the tournament has begun with unmatched drama and excitement. As the Vijay Hazare Trophy progresses, the challenge for teams will be to match, or even surpass, the extraordinary standards set on this unforgettable opening day.

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