Bengaluru, Jan 6 (.) In a performance that has left cricket fans across the country stunned, USA-born Hyderabad batsman Aman Rao on Tuesday produced a sensational double century in just his third List A match, guiding his side to a massive total of 352 for 5 against Bengal in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Rao, who was recently picked up by Rajasthan Royals in the IPL auction, converted his maiden century into a 200 not out, showcasing exceptional temperament, skill, and maturity against a high-quality attack featuring Mohammed Shami, Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar.
Altogether 120 of the runs came off these frontline bowlers, reflecting his dominance over experienced opponents. Rao finished with a six off the last ball of the innings, underscoring his aggressive yet calculated approach. This innings marks only the second double century of the VHT season, after Odisha’s Swastik Samal, and cements Rao’s name as one of the tournament’s most exciting emerging talents.
Hyderabad’s massive total immediately put Bengal under pressure, with Siraj producing a fiery spell of 5–0–32–3, ripping through the top order and leaving Bengal reeling at 73 for 4.
Even in the event of a Bengal victory, minimising the margin of defeat will be crucial for net run rate, as the Group B knockout race remains tight, with Uttar Pradesh already qualified and Vidarbha and Bengal competing for the second spot. Rao’s innings not only tilted the match but also influenced the tournament’s broader qualification scenario.
In Group D, Delhi secured a comfortable victory over Railways, with Ishant Sharma and Harshit Rana contributing key breakthroughs. Saurashtra continued their dominant form with a massive 111-run win over Services, posting 349/5 and bowling out the opposition for 238.
Group B saw Gujarat crush Odisha by 233 runs. Gujarat scored 333/6 before dismissing Odisha for 100, while Uttarakhand narrowly defeated Sikkim by 6 wickets, chasing 223 with 223/4. Baroda also strengthened their position with a 76-run win over Jammu & Kashmir, setting a total of 332 and restricting J&K to 256.
In Group A, Karnataka remained unstoppable, defeating Rajasthan by 150 runs. The team posted 324/7, with Mayank Agarwal and Karun Nair anchoring a dominant batting display, before bowling Rajasthan out for 174.
Jharkhand fought hard to edge past Madhya Pradesh by 2 wickets, reaching 278/8 against a target of 277, keeping their qualification hopes alive. Kerala continued their resurgence with an 8-wicket win over Puducherry, chasing 247 in just 29 overs to strengthen their contention for the second qualifying spot.
Group C saw Punjab narrowly overcome Goa by 6 wickets, finishing on 212/4 in a tight chase of 211, while Tamil Nadu beat Tripura by 54 runs, posting 259/6 and restricting the visitors to 205.
These results have intensified the competition for knockout places across all groups, with Karnataka, Delhi, Saurashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, and Kerala consolidating strong positions. Teams like Jharkhand, Baroda, and Uttarakhand remain in contention, making the final round of the round-robin matches crucial. . . .