The excitement of the T20 World Cup 2026 is sweeping across India, but in the meantime, the final phase of the Ranji Trophy 2025/26 is being played. Currently, the semifinal matches are underway, with the first match taking place between Karnataka and Uttarakhand in Lucknow. In the match, Karnataka strengthened their position by scoring over 600 runs in the first innings. The credit for this goes to captain Devdutt Padikkal, who played a double century on the second day of the match, scoring 232 runs off 330 balls.

Devdutt Padikkal had performed brilliantly in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (India's premier List A cricket tournament) and carried that good form into the second phase of the Ranji Trophy. Padikkal played an unbeaten 120-run innings against Punjab but couldn't make much impact against Mumbai. However, he has now strengthened his team's position by scoring his first double century in his first-class career in the semifinals. Padikkal scored a century on the first day and returned unbeaten at 148 runs. On the second day, he played flawlessly and scored a double century.

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Devdutt Padikkal, who was appointed as Karnataka's captain in place of Mayank Agarwal, had a very good batting performance on the first day. Padikkal first completed his half-century in 65 balls. However, he then did not rush and comfortably progressed towards a century. He scored a three-figure score in 144 balls. After that, on the second day, he reached 150 in 245 balls and then succeeded in completing a double century in 288 balls.

Devdutt Padikkal's brilliant double century in the Ranji Trophy semi-final

Karnataka's captain hit 29 fours and three sixes in his innings. The way Devdutt Padikkal was playing, it seemed like he might score his first triple century, but then he got out. His wicket was taken by Uttarakhand's Lakshaya Rai Chande. However, Padikkal's innings helped the team reach a big score.

Watch the video of Devdutt Padikkal's double century:

DEVDUTT PADDIKAL IS HERE TO STAY 😍

- DOUBLE HUNDRED IN RANJI TROPHY SEMI FINAL AS CAPTAIN....!!! pic.twitter.com/HMq7gXM5Zx

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 16, 2026

Devdutt Padikkal has made a claim for a comeback to Team India with his first double century in a first-class career. Padikkal played his last Test in Perth during India's 2024-25 tour of Australia. After that, he was dropped from the team. Now it remains to be seen whether he will be selected for the Test against Afghanistan in June.

After their strong and dominant victory against Mumbai at the Ranji Trophy 2025/26quarter-finals, Karnataka qualified to the semifinal of the tournament and were up against Uttarakhand at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Vihari Vajpayee Ekhana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. They would hope to collect a victory in this clash and make their way into the final.

Karnataka didn’t make a good start with the bat as they lost their former captain and the right-handed opening batter, Mayank Agarwal, for five runs in 32 balls in the ninth over of the innings against the new ball as Aditya Rawat grabbed the very first wicket. As Devdutt Padikkal made his way into the middle, the need of the hour was to put in a big partnership.

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And the left and right combination of Rahul and Padikkal put a massive partnership of 278 runs for the second wicket in 391 balls to shoulder Karnataka to a strong position. The former smashed a fine knock of 141 runs in 211 deliveries at a strike rate of 66.82, thanks to 11 boundaries and five sixes.

Devdutt Padikkal celebrates 50 in Ranji Trophy 2025/26 semifinal

Padikkal used his feet and went with the spin against J Sucith’s left-arm spin over the long-on region for a massive six over the rope to make his way into the three-figure mark. It was a great knock from the captain, who also smashed a fine century in their last group-stage clash against Punjab in Mohali.

Watch the video here: 

Getting to the milestone in style! 🚀

🎥 Watch the moment Devdutt Padikkal reached his century with a maximum over the ropes!

Updates ▶️ https://t.co/SztwjvwUiI@IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/PuB4feBZYO

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) February 15, 2026

Padikkal, with his form, has put his hand up to be part of India’s Test team and bat at the number three when the blue brigade takes the field in their next Test match against Sri Lanka away from home. They have struggled to find solidity at that position in the red-ball format.

For Uttarakhand, Aditya Rawat has taken both the wickets of the openers. However, it was a shocking decision from their captain to bat first after winning the toss as the spinners won’t be part of the fourth innings in the defense.

Brief Scores: Karnataka 327/2 (KL Rahul 141, Devdutt Padikkal 136*, Aditya Rawat 2/72) vs Uttarakhand.

Indian opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal is busy with domestic cricket, while he took a stunning catch at the slip during the fourth innings of the Mumbai vs Karnataka match in the Quarterfinal of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26.

Mumbai set a 325-run fourth innings target for Karnataka, while Karnataka opener KL Rahul and skipper-cum-the no.3 batter Devdutt Padikkal had a brilliant 84-run partnership for the second wicket.

Yashasvi Jaiswal grabbed stunning catch to dismiss Karnataka captain Devdutt Padikkal

The off-spinner Tanush Kotian provided the key breakthrough for Mumbai by dismissing Devdutt Padikkal, while the full credit of that wicket goes to Yashasvi Jaiswal. Jaiswal was at the slip, while Padikkal played a shot, but the ball had an outside edge to travel to the slip fielder. It was a matter of an instant reaction, and the slip fielder Jaiswal stunningly grabbed that opportunity after timely moving to his low left position. Padikkal was dismissed for 39 runs, as Karnataka were battling at 96/2. 

What a catch. What a moment in the match 🔥

Yashasvi Jaiswal pulls off a one-handed stunner in slip to get the big wicket of Devdutt Padikkal 🙌

The celebrations say it all 👌

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/LkDKjr7P5G#RanjiTrophy | @IDFCFIRSTBank | @ybj_19 pic.twitter.com/kytvr72U5j

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) February 8, 2026

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Mumbai fighting after trailing in first innings

After scoring five runs in the first innings of the match, Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 36 off 43 balls with four fours and two sixes. 

In the first innings, while Mumbai were bowled out for only 120 runs, where Akhil Herwadkar scored a valuable 60 runs, Karnataka replied with 173 all out, majorly thanks to the opener Mayank Agarwal's 90-run knock. 

In their second innings, Mumbai scored 377 runs to set the challenging 325-run fourth innings target for Karnataka. While Akash Anand scored 70 and Musheer Khan scored 49 runs, lower-order batters Tanush Kotian (48*) and Tushar Deshpande (47) had a crucial 89-run partnership for the ninth wicket, with both batters scoring important 40s. 

Devdutt Padikkal produced one of the finest knocks of the season to steer Karnataka into the quarterfinals of the Ranji Trophy 2025–26 with a thrilling five-wicket win over Punjab at the IS Bindra Cricket Stadium, Mohali.

Karnataka faced an early challenge during their final day chase of 250 when KL Rahul got out. The captain of the team Devdutt Padikkal took command of the match by scoring 120 runs without getting out from 85 deliveries. His innings which included six fours and five massive sixes made Karnataka win the match.

Padikkal formed a fast 113-run partnership with Mayank Agarwal which they completed in 72 deliveries to give their team an early advantage in the match. Punjab made a brief comeback after Emanjot Singh Chahal dismissed Agarwal who scored 53 runs because Aneesh KV and Smaran Ravichandran got out quickly which left Karnataka at 134 for 4.

Padikkal’s consistency lifts Karnataka into knockouts

Padikkal received crucial backing from Shreyas Gopal and Vidyadhar Patil who helped Karnataka achieve victory after 27.5 overs. The victory ensured Karnataka finished second in Elite Group B with 27 points, behind table-toppers Madhya Pradesh, and sealed their spot in the knockout stage.

Karnataka Win 👏

They qualify for the quarters & the celebrations say it all 👌

Captain Devdutt Padikkal finishes it off in style and remains unbeaten on 120*(85)💥

What a brilliant performance & what a fantastic chase 🔥

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/yY9bAnzUIX@IDFCFIRSTBank… pic.twitter.com/QxyI9eLQ06

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) February 1, 2026

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Padikkal maintains his outstanding performance across all cricketing formats. The left-hander has now scored 3,328 runs in 51 First-Class matches at an average of 41.08, including eight centuries. Since 2024, he has played two Test matches for the Indian national team. Karnataka will now face Mumbai in the fourth quarterfinal, starting February 6.

Ranji Trophy 2025–26 Quarterfinal Fixtures

The victory momentum which Karnataka currently possesses will become their advantage during the knockout match which they hope Padikkal will maintain his successful performance.

Karnataka have made some positive changes to their Ranji Trophy squad for the second round of the season. Devdutt Padikkal, who impressed in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, has been named the captain of the team. Several Indian Test players have also made their return to the side.

Indian players are now giving more importance to domestic cricket. This change has happened as fans have started showing more interest, especially after top international players returned to play for their state teams.

The BCCI’s rule on domestic cricket has played a key role in this shift. It has made it mandatory for Indian stars to take part in tournaments like the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy whenever they are free from international duties.

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Devdutt Padikkal Named Captain of Karnataka Ranji Trophy Team

Karnataka have named Devdutt Padikkal as their new captain for the ongoing Ranji Trophy season. The change comes midway through the tournament, ahead of their match against Punjab.

Karnataka are one of the most successful teams in Ranji Trophy history. They have played strong cricket this season as well. Over the years, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has produced many talented players for the Indian team.

Earlier this season, Mayank Agarwal was leading the side. Karnataka, placed in Elite Group B, finished the first half of the tournament with two wins and three draws from their first six matches. They were third on the points table, behind Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

KL Rahul and Prasidh Krishna Return for Punjab Match

Indian star KL Rahul has returned to domestic cricket and will play for Karnataka against Punjab. The wicketkeeper-batter has been focusing more on red-ball cricket whenever he is free from international duties.

Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna has also been included in the 15-member squad for the match in Mohali. Krishna last played a Test for India against England at The Oval, where he took eight wickets. However, he is not part of India’s ICC T20 World Cup squad and has no international games before the IPL.

Karun Nair Ruled Out, Abhinav Manohar Dropped

The KSCA squad announcement came with a few surprises. Karun Nair has been ruled out due to injury, though the exact issue has not been confirmed.

Nair was Karnataka’s highest run-scorer this season. He scored 614 runs in six matches at an average of 87.71, including two centuries and a double hundred.

Middle-order batter Abhinav Manohar, who has struggled for form, has been dropped from the squad for the final group-stage match. Meanwhile, new captain Devdutt Padikkal is coming into the game after scoring two ducks in his last Ranji Trophy match.

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