In a stunning display of power-hitting, Tanmay Agarwal, the 28-year-old Indian batter, recently etched his name in the record books by scoring the fastest triple-hundred in the history of first-class cricket. Agarwal’s remarkable feat unfolded during a Ranji Trophy Plate Group match against Arunachal Pradesh, where he showcased his prowess with the bat.
Agarwal’s innings was nothing short of sensational, as he blazed his way to an unbeaten 323 off just 160 balls on Friday. The breathtaking knock included a staggering 33 fours and a record-breaking 21 sixes. Remarkably, he resumed his innings on Saturday, adding five more sixes before being dismissed for a total of 366 runs. Although falling short of surpassing Brian Lara’s iconic 501* in a First-Class match, Agarwal managed to establish a new record for the most number of sixes in an innings – an astonishing 26.
The previous record for the most sixes in a First-Class match was held by New Zealand’s Colin Munro, with 23 sixes. Agarwal’s achievement not only surpassed Munro’s record but also highlighted his ability to dominate the game with a fearless approach to batting.
The lopsided nature of the contest against a north-eastern side, Arunachal Pradesh, has once again ignited debates about the integration of such teams into the prestigious Ranji Trophy. Questions arise about the competitiveness and the level of challenge posed by these teams, as records continue to be shattered regularly in encounters against them.
About Tanmay Agarwal:
Tanmay Agarwal’s explosive innings also saw him break the previous record set by South African cricketer Marco Marais, who had scored a triple century in First-Class cricket in 191 balls back in 2016 during a game between Border and Western Province.
Reflecting on his historic innings, Agarwal expressed gratitude and explained, “I feel good and grateful. After I completed 150, I just started hitting and luck was in my favour. I always found the middle of the bat, and balls went out. I just kept batting and kept hitting,” as he shared with PTI on Friday.
Agarwal’s performance not only cements his place in the record books but also raises broader discussions about the dynamics of Indian domestic cricket. As the cricketing world marvels at his incredible achievement, the spotlight remains on the need for balanced competition and the role of teams from emerging regions in prestigious tournaments like the Ranji Trophy.
