Bengaluru, Jan 16 (.) The cricket world is abuzz after 24-year-old Vidarbha opener Aman Mokhade scripted history by becoming the fastest Indian to reach 1000 runs in List A cricket.
Achieving the milestone in just 16 innings, Mokhade surpassed the previous Indian record of 17 innings held jointly by Devdutt Padikkal and Abhinav Mukund. His feat also equalled South African legend Graeme Pollock’s long-standing world record, creating excitement not just in India but among cricket fans globally.
Mokhade’s record-breaking innings came in a high-pressure semifinal of the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy against Karnataka. Chasing 281, Vidarbha faced an early setback when opener Atharva Taide fell cheaply. Mokhade absorbed the initial pressure, first stabilising the chase with a 99-run partnership with Dhruv Shorey, who scored 47.
He then combined with R Samarth for a match-defining 147-run stand for the third wicket. Samarth contributed 76 runs while Mokhade anchored the innings, even as cramps threatened to slow him down.
Karnataka had posted 280 all out after opting to bat first. Their innings saw early breakthroughs for Vidarbha as both openers, Mayank Agarwal and Padikkal, were dismissed inside the first 10 overs.
A partnership of 54 runs between Karun Nair and Dhruv Prabhakar restored some order, followed by a 113-run stand between Karun Nair and KL Shrijith. Both reached fifties, but Karnataka lost momentum in the final overs. Vidarbha bowler Darshan Nalkande starred with the ball, finishing with impressive figures of 5 for 48.
Mokhade’s consistency across domestic tournaments this season has been remarkable. In the first leg of the Ranji Trophy, he scored 577 runs in seven innings at an average of 96.16.
He topped Vidarbha’s charts in the 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with 206 runs at a strike rate of 157.25 and continued his dominance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy with 781 runs in nine innings at an average of 97.62. Across these tournaments, Mokhade has amassed eight centuries and five half-centuries.
The viral angle of this story lies not just in the statistics but in the narrative itself: a young talent breaking records at a rapid pace, equalling a legendary international mark, and guiding his team to a critical semi-final win. Fans and cricket experts alike have flooded social media with clips and highlights of Mokhade’s innings, hailing him as one of India’s brightest emerging stars.
With this victory, Vidarbha has booked its place in the Vijay Hazare Trophy final, and Mokhade’s name is now etched in the record books as a player who combined extraordinary talent with composure and determination under pressure. His performance has positioned him as a strong contender for future national selection, and cricket enthusiasts worldwide are watching closely as this young star continues to shine.
. . ARN