Ishan Kishan Lights Up Vijay Hazare Trophy With 33-Ball Century as Records Tumble Across India

Indian domestic cricket witnessed a truly extraordinary day as records fell one after another across different venues, with Ishan Kishan, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, and Sakibul Gani all producing breathtaking centuries. At the heart of it all was Ishan Kishan, whose explosive 33-ball hundred for Jharkhand against Karnataka stole the spotlight and underlined his red-hot form.

Just a week after leading Jharkhand to their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title with a match-winning century, Kishan once again showed why he remains one of India’s most destructive batters. This time, he did it in the Vijay Hazare Trophy opener in Ahmedabad, turning what was already a strong innings into an unforgettable one.

Kishan’s Storm From No. 6

Walking in at No. 6 in the 38th over, Kishan had limited time but an unlimited impact. What followed was pure carnage. In just 39 balls, he smashed 125 runs, hammering seven fours and an astonishing 14 sixes. Karnataka’s bowlers had no answers as Kishan repeatedly cleared the ropes with ease and confidence.

His century came off just 33 balls, making it the second-fastest List A century by an Indian, and fourth-fastest overall in the format. Only Jake Fraser-McGurk, AB de Villiers, and Sakibul Gani sit ahead of him on the all-time list.

Jharkhand, who had been put in to bat, finished with a massive 412 for 8, a total that left Karnataka completely overwhelmed.

A Historic Day for Indian List A Cricket

What made the day even more remarkable was that Kishan’s feat wasn’t the only one. Just minutes earlier in Ranchi, Bihar captain Sakibul Gani had smashed the fastest List A century by an Indian—off just 32 balls—during a Plate League fixture against Arunachal Pradesh.

That innings was set up by 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who announced himself on the big stage with stunning authority. Suryavanshi reached his century in 36 balls and went on to score 190 off 84 deliveries, smashing 16 fours and 15 sixes. In the process, he became the youngest centurion in men’s List A cricket.

Remarkably, the three fastest List A centuries by Indians were all scored on the same day, across two different venues—Ahmedabad and Ranchi—making it a once-in-a-generation moment in domestic cricket.

Kishan’s Reinvention Continues

Kishan’s knock was not just about power—it was about timing and confidence. Earlier in the innings, Virat Singh had set the tempo with a fluent 88, while Kumar Kushagra contributed a valuable 67 in a 129-run partnership. But once Kishan arrived, the gears shifted dramatically.

He reached his half-century in just 20 balls and then went into overdrive, smashing seven sixes and two fours in his next 13 deliveries to bring up his century. It was fearless batting, played with clarity and intent—hallmarks of a player who knows exactly where his game stands.

With Kishan having already forced his way back into India’s T20I setup for the New Zealand series and the upcoming World Cup, performances like these only strengthen his case as a match-winner across formats.

Fireworks Elsewhere Too

The action wasn’t limited to Jharkhand and Bihar. Andhra found momentum thanks to Ricky Bhui, who scored his fourth List A century off 88 balls, rescuing his team after a sluggish start. Punjab’s Abhishek Sharma fell just short of a half-century after laying a solid foundation in a strong opening stand, while young stars continued to make their mark across venues.

Calm Before the Kohli Moment

Away from the run-fests, attention also drifted towards Bengaluru, where Virat Kohli’s return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy had created quiet anticipation. What was expected to be an emotional homecoming at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium was shifted at the last moment to the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence and played behind closed doors.

The atmosphere, however, was surprisingly calm. No roaring crowds, no frenzy—just a routine domestic match setting. Kohli trained and prepared without the usual hysteria, as Delhi bowled to Andhra in a subdued opening phase. Perhaps the buzz will truly ignite when Kohli finally walks out to bat.

Vijay Hazare Trophy Gets a New Spark

It’s been nearly 16 years since Kohli last featured in this tournament. Back then, India hadn’t won their second ODI World Cup, Sachin Tendulkar was still opening, and MS Dhoni was captain across formats. Today, Kohli and Rohit Sharma are retired from Tests and T20Is, focusing solely on ODIs as they eye the 2027 World Cup.

Their return—along with stars like Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, and others—has instantly lifted the profile of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Once considered a stepping stone, the tournament now feels like a proving ground for India’s present and future.

A Day to Remember

From Kishan’s brutal assault in Ahmedabad to Suryavanshi’s teenage miracle in Ranchi, this was a day that reminded everyone why domestic cricket remains the backbone of Indian cricket. Records were broken, new stars emerged, and established names reaffirmed their hunger.

If this is just the beginning, the 2025–26 Vijay Hazare Trophy promises plenty more magic.