Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26: Ishan Kishan smashed a century in 33 balls against Karnataka on Wednesday. (BCCI Screengrab)
Only days after powering Jharkhand to their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy win and earning an India recall, Ishan Kishan clubbed one of the fastest-ever centuries by an Indian in the List A format against Karnataka in the Vijay Hazare Trophy on Wednesday.
Sliding down from his usual top-order role in the 50-over format, Kishan walked in at number six at the end of the 38th over and stormed his way through to a sensational century at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Kishan clubbed 14 sixes and cracked a century in only 33 balls as Jharkhand racked up a staggering 412 for nine in 50 overs.
However, Kishan narrowly missed out on the fastest List A century by an Indian on a day where three centuries in under 40 balls have already been registered. In the Plate league, Bihar prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi and captain Sakibul Gani rewrote the record books twice, smashing 36-ball and 32-ball hundreds, the latter being the quickest-ever by an Indian.
Kishan’s blazing century is now the second-quickest by an Indian man, with Punjab batter Anmolpreet Singh having recorded a 35-ball century against Arunachal Pradesh last season.
Since the beginning of this season, a different Ishan has been on display. For a batsman who appeared to bat only in top gear, he showed he could play the situation in red-ball cricket. And on the back of strong performances in Ranji, he carried over that form into the SMAT, where leading a young team, he showed he has come of age. Watching him bat in the Ranji Trophy, former India batsman Robin Singh, who had worked with him in the past at Mumbai Indians, revealed this new version of Ishan isn’t far from knocking the doors again. And two months later, the opening he cherished came when he must have least expected it.
In another match, Odisha opener Swastik Samal recorded a double century against Saurashtra in only his 11th List A appearance for the side from debut. The 25-year-old who previously held a high score of 57, converted his maiden century into a 167-ball 212, making him only the 14th Indian man to smash a List A double century.