India’s selectors have chosen Shreyas Iyer to step in for Tilak Varma for the first three T20 matches against New Zealand. Tilak Varma was ruled out after getting injured early this year while playing the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Hyderabad, which forced the team to look for a replacement.

Shreyas Iyer is also making a comeback after spending time out due to injury. He recently returned to domestic cricket in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and has now joined the Indian side in the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand. However, Iyer has not played T20 cricket for some time. He missed the full Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy season in 2025–26 and last appeared in a T20I match more than two years ago.

In an official update, the BCCI confirmed that Shreyas Iyer has been added to the T20 squad for the opening three games in place of Tilak Varma.

Keeping this situation in mind, here are three other players, apart from Shreyas Iyer, who could have been considered as Tilak Varma’s replacement for the India vs New Zealand 2026 T20I series.

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3. Ruturaj Gaikwad

Ruturaj Gaikwad could have been a strong option for the squad because of his good T20I record and experience. He fits well into the No.3 or No.4 batting role that the team needs. In recent white-ball matches, Gaikwad has mostly played in the middle order and has improved his strike rate.

Over the last few years, he has changed his game. He is no longer just a steady batter but can score fast when needed. This is similar to the role Tilak Varma plays in the current T20I team.

Gaikwad can make good use of the powerplay and plays spin bowling well, which are important skills for a No.3 batter. He can stay at the crease and allow aggressive batters around him to play freely.

He also comes in with good match practice. Gaikwad played the full 2025–26 Vijay Hazare Trophy and also featured in the ODI series against South Africa. Because of this, he had strong momentum that India could have used.

2. Devdutt Padikkal

Tilak Varma was not only a key batter for India but also the only left-handed batter in the middle order. With Shivam Dube not fitting well into the floating role, India depended on Tilak Varma to handle wrist spinners and left-arm spinners during the middle overs.

Even though India now focus less on left-right batting pairs, left-handed batters still offer value. If a similar left-handed option is available, it makes sense to consider it.

Devdutt Padikkal is currently one of the most in-form batters in India. He had an excellent 2025–26 Vijay Hazare Trophy season and also batted at No.3 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

In the domestic T20 tournament, he scored 309 runs in six matches at a high average and strike rate, including a century. His strong form, left-handed batting style, and overall improvement as a player made him a good choice to replace Tilak Varma.

1. Sarfaraz Khan

Sarfaraz Khan was a bold option who brings power and quick runs rather than stability. The Mumbai batter has grown fast as a white-ball player and has impressed with his performances.

Batting at No.3 for Mumbai in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Sarfaraz scored 329 runs in seven matches with a very high strike rate. He showed his aggressive style and ability to dominate attacks.

He plays spin bowling well and is especially good at using sweeps to trouble spinners. Since India will play many matches in subcontinent conditions, including the New Zealand T20Is and the T20 World Cup, a batter like Sarfaraz could have added variety to the batting lineup.

India could have used his energy, confidence, and strong form after a great domestic white-ball season.

In the first two qualifiers of the ongoing 2025/26 season of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Uttar Pradesh locked horns with Saurashtra while Mumbai faced Karnataka at the BCCI Center of Excellence in Bengaluru. Late rain saw Karnataka and Saurashtra claiming their respective victories in those games. 

Devdutt Padikkal of Karnataka remains the leading run-getter of the season so far with 721 runs in eight innings at an average of over 100 and a strike rate of 100.27, thanks to his four centuries and a couple of fifties.

A look at the top 4 batting performances from Day 8 of Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025/26

1.   Sameer Rizvi (Uttar Pradesh)

When Sameer Rizvi walked into the middle for Uttar Pradesh in the second quarter final against Saurashtra at the BCCI Center of Excellence in Bengaluru, they were 130 for the loss of four wickets in 23.1 overs. Their in-form captain, Rinku Singh, had returned to the dressing room for 13 runs in 20 balls.

However, the right hand is better at playing decent knockoff 88 runs in 77 deliveries at a circuit of nearly 115 with the help of boundaries and two sixes that shouldered Uttar Pradesh over the 300 run mark in their 50 overs.

Brief Scores: Saurashtra 238/3 (Harvik Desai 100*, Prerak Mankad 67, Karan Chaudhary 1/33) beat Uttar Pradesh 310/8 (Sameer Rizvi 88, Abhishek Goswami 88, Chetan Sakariya 3/54) by 17 runs (VJD method).

2.   Shams Mulani (Mumbai)

Very unlike their performance in any domestic tournament, Mumbai found themselves under pressure, having lost four wickets for 60 runs in the 18th over against Karnataka. They were under the pump in the absence of some notable figures of Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and others for this fixture.

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That was their number six, battered some, Shams Mulani drilled a decent knock of 86 runs in 91 balls. The South Pole cracked a fine knock thanks to his eight boundaries, which helped them to reach 254 in their allotted 50 overs for the loss of eight wickets.

Brief Scores: Karnataka 187/1 (Devdutt Padikkal 81*, Karun Nair 74*, Mohit Avasthi 1/24) beat Mumbai 254/8 (Shams Mulani 86, Vidyadhar Patil 3/42) by 55 runs (VJD method).

3.   Harvik Desai (Saurashtra)

There was a time in Saurashtra’s cricket when Harvik Desai, their captain and wicket-keeper batter, was about to leave the state team and move to a different side. But they did not want it to happen, and a veteran with them at the opening spot, who has now celebrated a fine century, to bail them out of trouble against Uttar Pradesh.

In the second qualifier at the BCCI Center of Excellence, Desai nailed a fine knockoff hundred in 16 balls with the help of eight boundaries and two sixes. He put on the accelerator at the right time as the rain saw Saurashtra clinching the victory by just 17 runs through the VJD method.

Brief Scores: Saurashtra 238/3 (Harvik Desai 100*, Prerak Mankad 67, Karan Chaudhary 1/33) beat Uttar Pradesh 310/8 (Sameer Rizvi 88, Abhishek Goswami 88, Chetan Sakariya 3/54) by 17 runs (VJD method).

4.   Devdutt Padikkal (Karnataka)

Devdutt Padikkal, who has gone through a sensational form in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy for Karnataka with two centuries and one half-century in his last four innings, remained unbeaten on 81 runs with the help of 11 boundaries to shoulder Karnataka to 87 for the loss of one wicket in 33 overs before the arrival.

The bad lights in Bengaluru, along with the rain, force the umpire to call the game off as the Bengaluru-based side own the clash by 55 runs through the VJD method.

Brief Scores: Karnataka 187/1 (Devdutt Padikkal 81*, Karun Nair 74*, Mohit Avasthi 1/24) beat Mumbai 254/8 (Shams Mulani 86, Vidyadhar Patil 3/42) by 55 runs (VJD method).

The surgery of Tilak Varma can open the door for multiple cricketers who are currently out from Team India's T20I setup. As per reports, Varma can miss multiple matches of the India vs New Zealand T20I series. In this situation, the selectors may have to name a replacement for the middle-order batter. Devdutt Padikkal can be an ideal name in that place.

Why can Devdutt Padikkal be considered a proper replacement for Tilak Varma? Here are 3 reasons:

1. Current Form: Devdutt Padikkal currently is in stunning form. In the last five domestic matches, he registered a couple of hundreds and missed another century for only 9 runs. In the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 (VHT 2025-26), he has been playing constantly well for the Karnataka cricket team from the beginning of the tournament. With a lot of domestic experience, Padikkal has the potential to become a part of the top-tier cricket grind.

2. Proven talent against the new ball: While Tilak Varma is known for his attacking batting, Padikkal can bring in stability with his compact batting skills. Padikkal has consistently shown the technique to handle swing, seam, and high pace with the new ball.

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As we mentioned before, he has played some long-standing innings in the domestic cricket, so the batter is equally applicable against spinners. In adverse batting conditions, Padikkal's cool, calm attitude can prove helpful for the team.

3. Long range of shots and versatility: The 25-year-old can provide flexibility in the batting order, as he can fit in both the top and middle order. Additionally, Padikkal is a left-handed batter, which can support the team management in setting a right playing combination. With a long range of shots and acceleration according to the condition of a match, Devdutt Padikkal has developed into a must-watch batter.

Former Royal Challengers Bangalore opener Mayank Agarwal demonstrated once again why he has been one of the highest-rated Indian batsmen since 2011. With an impressive innings that included a milestone century for Karnataka in the 2013 Vijay Hazare Trophy, Agarwal has cemented himself among the elite group of batters that have scored more than 100 runs in the tournament's history. Not only does Agarwal continue to be one of the most reliable higher-order batsmen in Indian domestic cricket, but he also continues to shine under pressure as evidenced by his innings.

When Agarwal scored his hundred, he was instrumental in leading Karnataka to a strong run total, providing them with early impetus at the top of the batting order and providing Karnataka with a solid foundation upon which other batters could play freely, allowing them to set a daunting total for the opposition. Agarwal has been consistent throughout his career in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and continues to provide strong support for Karnataka’s one-day team.

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Mayank Agarwal has reached 13 hundreds in the Vijay Hazare Trophy as this century has brought him to the same number of hundreds as his fellow Karnataka player, Devdutt Padikkal; this achievement places Agarwal tied for third place on the list of most centuries scored in this tournament. Devdutt has played aggressively and shown tremendous talent over the past few seasons, whereas Agarwal's numerous hundreds reflect his long-term success, patience, and continual high-level performance in every Vijay Hazare Trophy season.

Mayank Agarwal’s Growing Legacy in Vijay Hazare Trophy

Agarwal's success on the century charts is proof of his consistent run production as well as his desire to score runs. He scores heavily against diverse bowling attacks and plays well under various weather conditions. This makes him a valuable player in all formats of the game; however, Agarwal's ability to turn his early innings into dozens of runs is what distinguishes him from many others. Agarwal's most recent achievement further strengthens his case as one of the best performers in Vijay Hazare Trophy history.

Agarwal's achievements have placed him in a great position to continue climbing the all-time list of players with the most centuries. As the tournament has many more matches remaining and he has hit a high point in his career, Agarwal will be looking to increase his total and close the gap on the top players. For fans and followers of Indian domestic cricket, Agarwal's career illustrates the incredible depth of talent and competitiveness that characterizes the best one-day tournament in India today.

The Vijay Hazare Trophy is regarded as the leading domestic one-day championship in India and offers batters a platform to build a career by demonstrating their ability to consistently perform in 50-over matches. In the competition, a century represents a benchmark for many batters as it demonstrates their ability to dominate quality bowlers in different situations. Many Indian batters have achieved great things by turning good innings into centuries throughout the years, establishing records that will continue to shape the history of batting in this tournament.

The players on the list of the leading century-makers in the history of the Vijay Hazare Trophy span from long-time domestic players to those who later played for the Indian National Team, which reflects the depth of India’s batting talent pool. Many of these players have had a significant impact by performing in high-pressure situations as well as for accumulating hundreds of runs during their careers. This article will examine the leading century-makers in detail, their accomplishments and how their accomplishments are significant to the continued development of Indian domestic cricket.

Ankit Bawne (Maharashtra)

Ankit Bawne, who plays for Maharashtra in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, is currently ranked first in the historical list for most centuries scored in the tournament. Having started participating in the tournament in 2009, he has compiled an incredible total of fifteen century scores, which places him among the more reliable players in the domestic one-day game.

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In ninety-two innings, Bawne has scored 4,164 runs with an excellent batting average of 56.27, and a strike rate of 80.01. In addition to the centuries attributed to him, he has also contributed seventeen scores of fifty or more. Bawne's best showing in the tournament came during the 2022-23 season when he amassed 587 runs from nine innings. In the 2022-23 season, Bawne also boasted an average of 83.85 and a strike rate of 101.55, validating the premise of his consistent performance combined with his measured aggression when batting.

Ruturaj Gaikwad (Maharashtra)

The second-best player on the all-time list of batters who have achieved the most centuries in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in history is Ruturaj Gaikwad, also a representative of the Maharashtra state team. Gaikwad's batting average of 63.60 and strike rate of 104.91 during the tournament have helped him score fourteen centuries in fifty-five innings.

Gaikwad has also accumulated 3,180 career runs and has registered nine scores of fifty or more during his career. Gaikwad had an outstanding season during the 2022-23 Vijay Hazare Trophy season, scoring an incredible 660 runs in just five innings while averaging an astounding 220.00 and striking with a rate of 113.59 and registering four centuries during that season.

Devdutt Padikkal (Karnataka)

Karnataka opener Devdutt Padikkal is currently joint-third on the all-time list for most centuries in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, having struck 13 hundreds so far. Known for his elegant stroke play and consistency, Padikkal has been in exceptional form, amassing 2,525 runs in just 33 innings at a phenomenal average of 93.51 and a strike rate of 94.74.

Padikkal’s standout season arrived in 2020–21, when he piled up 737 runs across seven innings, averaging 147.40 with a strike rate of 95.96, including four centuries. He has continued his rich vein of form in the ongoing 2025–26 Vijay Hazare Trophy, already scoring 514 runs at an average of 102.80 and a strike rate of 102.18, once again featuring four hundreds.

Mayank Agarwal (Karnataka)

The Vijay Hazare Trophy, an annual cricket tournament in India, features Mayank Agarwal who regularly participates in this tournament since 2012 and has amassed 13 centuries which places him third overall in the all-time list of leading run-scorers within this tournament and Agarwal's runs have been scored over 77 innings with an impressive average of 52.65 and a healthy strike rate of 99.40.

The star India opener most successful season to date was 2017–18, when he recorded 723 runs over 8 innings with a remarkable average of 90.37 and an excellent strike rate of 107.91, including an outstanding three centuries.

Robin Uthappa (Kerala, Karnataka, Saurashtra)

Robin Uthappa's 11 centuries throughout his career (2008 to 2021) have placed him fifth on the all-time leading run-scorer list in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Robin played for three teams in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (Karnataka, Kerala, and Saurashtra), providing valuable talent, presence, and stability to each of the teams he played for.

Uthappa's run total is 3,115 runs over 79 innings with an average of 40.45 and with a score of 102.90. Uthappa's best season was in 2013–14 when he scored 536 runs with a batting average of 76.57 and a strike rate of 89.33 with three centuries to his credit.

Jagadeesan and Other Notable Performers

The tremendous consistency of players like N Jagadeesan has added significantly to the century lists in the tournament. Because of Jagadeesan's ability to achieve large hundreds while also maintaining very high strike rates, he has been one of the most successful batters in the past few seasons at the Vijay Hazare tournament.

Some other domestic players have succeeded in making their marks in the tournament and have solidified the notion that the Vijay Hazare tournament is a place for developing excellent batting performances, not just singular achievements.

Why Vijay Hazare Trophy Centuries Matter

Centuries scored in the Vijay Hazare tournament frequently lead to other opportunities, whether it be domestic or national selection as the tournament is being watched closely by the national selection committee based on the similarities of this tournament to ODI cricket at the international level.

The batters that are regularly achieving centuries are demonstrating not just their ability, but also their mental capability to handle the rigors of playing at the highest level and having a good understanding of the game and the ability to adapt their game to the specific circumstances. For those reasons, many of the leading century-makers from the Vijay Hazare tournament have either played for the country or are being considered as national players.

Conclusion

The number of players who have scored 100s in the Vijay Hazare Trophy through the years illustrates how important this tournament has been in providing India with a deep pool of talented batters. The players like Ankit Bawne have been very consistent, while others, such as Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devdutt Padikkal, Mayank Agarwal and so forth, have set the tone for what one-day cricket looks like during their particular period. While the tournament will undoubtedly continue to change into the future with new players emerging, the record that these century scorers created will be a yardstick for the upcoming players for years to come.

Most Hundreds in Vijay Hazare Trophy

Devdutt Padikkal continues his purple patch in the ongoing 2025/26 season of the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) as he racks his fifth fifty-plus score in six innings when Karnataka took on Rajasthan at the Gujarat College ground in Ahmedabad on January 06. The left-handed batter missed from what could have been his fifth century of the edition. 

Opening the batting for Karnataka, Devdutt fell for 91 against the left-arm spinner, Manav Suthar, as his knock was well decorated with 12 boundaries and a couple of sixes at a strike rate of 110.98. He has now celebrated 13 centuries in 34 innings, which is a staggering record in the domestic 50-over event in India.

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This record has only been overtaken by Maharashtra’s Ankit Bawne, who has 15 centuries in 99 games and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has notched up 14 centuries in 57 clashes while Padikkal is still set for a fresh record in a tournament having crossed the 600 run mark in just six innings of the season.

Devdutt Padikkal completes 600 runs in VHT 2025/26

The opening batter for Karnataka made his List A debut in 2018 and has gone on a tear in the tournament, having notched up 609 runs in 11 innings in only his second season in the 2019-20 edition. In the following season of the tournament, he backed it up with a sensational 737 runs in eight innings, which was decorated with four consecutive hundreds.

With over 600 runs in six innings of this ongoing season, Padikkal becomes the first batter in the history of the Vijay Hazare Trophy to accumulate as many runs in a season thrice in their career. His List-A average currently stands at 83.62 across 38 innings, which is the highest for any batter who has over 2000 runs in this format.

Rudraksh Gaikwad follows Particle with an average of 57.69, while Brad Cohen averages 57.67 for his massive record of 16000+ List-A runs. Despite the record, he hasn’t been selected for the New Zealand series, but he has already knocked on the door of the selectors.

Brief Scores: Karnataka 271/5 (Mayanak Agarwal 100, Devdutt Padikkal 91, Manav Suthar 2/47) vs Rajasthan. 

The 25-year-old Devdutt Padikkal is in great form with the bat in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, as he slammed his third century in four innings. Karnataka opener scored another century on the final day of 2025, when they faced Puducherry in the Elite Group A contest in Ahmedabad. 

Devdutt Padikkal scored 113 runs

After Karnataka chose to bat first, both the openers provided a strong start. Captain Mayank Agarwal and Devdutt Padikkal set a big 228-run partnership for the first wicket, as both the openers slammed centuries. 

While Padikkal scored 113 off 116 balls with 10 fours and four sixes, Mayank scored 132 runs off 124 balls with 15 fours and two sixes. Later, Karun Nair remained not out on 62 off 34 balls with four fours and four sixes, as Karnataka scored 363/4 in 50 overs. 

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Devdutt Padikkal is in great form

It was the third century in the last four games for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star Padikkal. He started the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 with back-to-back centuries against Jharkhand and Kerala. While his 147 in 118 balls helped Karnataka to chase the 413-run target against Jharkhand, his 124 off 137 balls helped his team to chase the 285-run target, where Karun Nair also scored a century (130*). In their previous game against Tamil Nadu, Padikkal scored 22 runs, but his team successfully chased the 289-run target. 

Padikkal is now the leading run-scorer in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy with 406 runs in four innings with an average of 101.50. Before the ongoing VHT, the left-handed batter also performed impressively in the domestic T20 tournament, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26. Playing six matches in that tournament, he scored 309 runs with an average of 61.80 and a strike rate of 167.02, including one century and two half-centuries. 

On the second day of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, Karnataka successfully chased the 285-run target against Kerala, thanks to centuries by Devdutt Padikkal and Karun Nair. 

After Karnataka chose to field first in Ahmedabad, Kerala scored 284/7 in 50 overs, with two 70+ scores. In reply, the opener Devdutt Padikkal and the no.3 batter Karun Nair scored strong centuries to guide the team to a crucial victory with a comfortable chase, as Karnataka chased down the target in 48.2 overs after losing only two wickets.

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Kerala revived from poor start

Kerala lost their first three batters inside the first 10 overs, as they were once struggling at 49/3. The middle-order batters handled the innings with their solid innings. While Baba Aparajith scored 71 off 62 balls with eight fours and two sixes, Mohammed Azharuddeen played a smashing knock of 84 not out off just 58 balls with three fours and four sixes. 

Also, Vishnu Vinod (35) and MD Nidheesh (34*) played some helpful innings, while Mohammed Azharuddeen and Nidheesh had a 99-run partnership for the unbroken eighth wicket. Among the Karnataka bowlers, Abhilash Shetty got three wickets (3/59) and Shreyas Gopal picked up two wickets (2/61).

Devdutt Padikkal and Karun Nair slammed centuries after Mayank Agarwal's early dismissal

Although Karnataka captain Mayank Agarwal was dismissed for only one run in the second over, his opening partner Devdutt Padikkal and the no.3 batter Karun Nair completely controlled the chase with a 223-run partnership for the second wicket. 

Padikkal scored 124 runs off 137 balls with 12 fours and three sixes. Although Padikkal was dismissed, Karun Nair and Ravichandran Smaran guided the team to a successful chase. While Smaran scored 25 not out off 16 balls with four fours, the Player of the Match Karun scored a run-a-ball 130 not out with the help of 14 fours. 

South Africa’s famous chase of 435 against Australia in the Johannesburg ODI now has company. Karnataka chased down a huge target of 413 against Jharkhand in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy on Wednesday, December 24.

This is only the second time in List A cricket history that a target of more than 400 has been successfully chased. Karnataka completed the second-highest chase in the format’s history with five wickets in hand and 15 balls remaining.

Openers Devdutt Padikkal and captain Mayank Agarwal gave the chase a strong start. They attacked the bowlers from the beginning and added 114 runs for the first wicket in just 11.5 overs before Mayank got out.

Padikkal stayed till the end, while the other batters supported him well. Karun Nair scored 29 off 27 balls, Smaran Ravichandran made 27 off 21, and KL Shrijith added 38 off 32 balls. The lower-middle order then finished the chase calmly.

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🚨 KARNATAKA CHASE DOWN 413 RUNS AGAINST JHARKHAND 🥶💥

Devdutt Padikkal - 147(118)
Abhinav Manohar - 56*(32)
Mayank Agarwal - 54(34)
Dhruv Prabhakar - 40*(22)

One of the Craziest chases ever in Vijay Hazare Trophy history. pic.twitter.com/lx5O4KHNzb

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 24, 2025

Manohar and Prabhakar finish the chase

Abhinav Manohar and Dhruv Prabhakar came together after Devdutt Padikkal was out in the 41st over at a crucial stage. Karnataka needed more than 80 runs in the last nine overs with five wickets in hand. The duo stayed calm and played attacking knocks.

Manohar scored 56 runs off 32 balls, hitting eight fours and one six. Prabhakar supported him well with 40 runs off 22 balls, which included six fours and one six. Their partnership helped Karnataka chase down 413 with 15 balls remaining.

Second-highest run chase in List A history

This chase is now the second-highest successful run chase in List A cricket history. The record is still held by South Africa, who chased 435 against Australia in 2006.

Highest run chases in List A cricket history:

1. 435 – South Africa vs Australia, Johannesburg (2005/06)
2. 413 – Karnataka vs Jharkhand, Ahmedabad (2025)
3. 399 – Queensland vs Tasmania, Sydney (2014/15)
4. 392 – Karachi vs Sialkot, Sialkot (2003/04)
5. 388 – Middlesex vs Durham, Chester-le-Street (2025)

The opening round of the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025/26 was under many eyeballs as some notable national players, including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, as well as several fans, turned up around the ground. Rohit featured for Mumbai against Sikkim at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, while Kohli played for Delhi at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

Rohit was exceptional with the bat, while Virat Kohli approached aggressively with the bat from the beginning of the innings. It’s due to the policy of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that every national player would need to feature in domestic games if they are not part of any national duty.

A look at the top five batting performances from Day 1 of Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26

1.   Vaibhav Suryavanshi

Heading into the 2025/26 season of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the upcoming Indian superstar and Bihar’s opening batter, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, had just 132 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 110 with one half-century to his name. There was a need for the left-handed batter to make a bigger contribution in this season, and he started on the right note.

Suryavanshi, during the clash against Arunachal Pradesh, clubbed a fine knock of 190 runs in just 84 balls at a strike rate of over 226, smashing 16 boundaries and 15 sixes. He broke the record of Ab de Villiers to celebrate the fastest List A 150 as Bihar posted a massive score of 574/6 in their allotted 50 overs, which became the highest total in the domestic 50-over event.

2.   Ishan Kishan (Jharkhand)

The left-handed wicket-keeper batter of the Indian side, Ishan Kishan, who led Jharkhand to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025/26 and got selected in the T20 World Cup 2026 squad in India and Sri Lanka in place of Shubman Gill, continued his aggressive batting at number six, as he smartly demoted himself to this place.

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On the back of the 129 run fourth wicket stand. Kishan used the platform and celebrated a fiery knock of 125 runs in just 39 deliveries at a strike rate of more than 320, thanks to his seven boundaries and 14 sixes. If he can continue the same form through the entire tournament, then there is a possibility of him making a comeback to the ODI side of the Indian team.

3.   Rohit Sharma (Mumbai)

There was a massive crowd at the Savai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur to watch Rohit Sharma’s batting. It just got increased during the 237 run chase of the Mumbai side against Sikkim as Rohit opened the batting with Angkrish Raghuvanshi. The Nagpur-born was already in great touch with three half-centuries and one unbeaten century in the last two ODI series against Australia and South Africa.

Rohit channeled the same aggressive approach and celebrated his second VHT Century in just 62 deliveries before ending with 155 runs in 94 balls with the help of 18 boundaries and nine sixes as Mumbai completed the successful chase in 30.3 overs.

4.   Virat Kohli (Delhi)

Virat Kohli was supposed play for Delhi against Andhra Pradesh at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru before the police security forced the game to be shifted to the BCCI Centre of Excellence. In that 299 run chase, Kohli started with two sweet boundaries- one on a lofted hit over extra cover and the second one driven around the ground between cover and point region.

The former captain notched up his 50 in just 39 deliveries before getting to his century with a sweet shot, but did not show any massive celebration.

5.   Devdutt Padikkal (Karnataka)

The game between Karnataka and Jharkhand at the Narendra Modi Stadium B was a run fest for the batters as over 800 runs were scored in the 100 overs of the game. In reply to Jharkhand’s 413 runs thanks to Ishan Kishan's blistering century, Karnataka needed one of their top-order batters to stay till the end and smash a cracking century.

Devdutt Padikkal played that innings of 147 runs in 118 deliveries at a strike rate over 124 with the help of ten boundaries and seven sixes while opening the batting with captain Mayank Agarwal. They won the clash by five wickets with 15 balls to spare.