Top five batting performances from Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 group stage — a look at the most impactful innings.
The league stages of the 33rd edition of the Vijay Hazare Trophy has come to an end, and it is safe to say it has been a high-scoring one. Several batters have stolen the show with their bat by churning out big runs for their respective sides. Here are the top five batting efforts in the group stages of VHT 2025/26
Dhruv Jurel – 160* vs Baroda
Uttar Pradesh have been dominant in the league stages of VHT, winning seven out of seven in Group B. One of the main reasons behind their spectacular success has been their wicketkeeper-batter, Dhruv Jurel. The right-hander has amassed a whopping 558 runs in seven innings at an average of 93 in the league stages, and his unbeaten knock of 160 is the highlight of his campaign.
In their third match of the tournament, at Rajkot – effectively Baroda’s home venue, Jurel completely outbatted them. Batting first, UP got off to a great start with the openers piling up 77 in the 15th over – a solid platform for Jurel to take advantage. But, the situation got tricky as UP lost two quick wickets just as the right-hander came to the crease.
However, Jurel found an able partner in skipper Rinku Singh. Together, they added 131 runs for the fourth wicket. This stand was instrumental in giving them the momentum to finish on a strong note.
Jurel, who had scored back-to-back 50s in the previous two outings, converted his third successive 50+ score into a ton, his first in List A cricket, in 78 deliveries. He stayed till the end to propel UP to a massive 369/7 and finished on an incredible 101-ball 160*.
Read More: Jurel smashes 160* against Baroda in VHT 2025-26; Opens third angle for reserve WKB slot in ODIs?
Hardik Pandya – 133 vs Vidarbha
Just weeks after his spectacular showing for India in the T20Is against South Africa, Hardik Pandya lit up VHT with his maiden List A ton against Vidarbha. Baroda were in all sorts of trouble at 71/5 in the 20th over, with India international Jitesh Sharma just back in the pavilion. Hardik then joined his brother and skipper Krunal Pandya at the crease.
He added 65 runs with the elder Pandya. After the latter’s dismissal, it was all a one-man show. The right-hander initially took time to bring up his half-century in 44 balls and then switched gears by slamming the next 50 in mere 24 deliveries. He was severe on every bowler as he struck 11 sixes and eight boundaries, but the left-arm spinner Parth Rekhade took the brunt of the carnage.
Hardik hammered 34 runs (five sixes and a four) in a single over bowled by Rekhade to bring his maiden List A ton. He went on to score 133 runs from 92 balls and single-handedly resurrected Baroda’s innings, powering them to a competitive total of 293. Though his stunning knock didn’t result in a win for his side, it was nevertheless one of the best knocks of this VHT.
Read More: Top 5 bowling performances from group stage of Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26
Aman Rao – 200* vs Bengal
Aman Rao has started his List A career with a bang by scoring one of the two double centuries of this year’s VHT. The USA-born right-handed batter made his 50-over debut for Hyderabad in the ongoing tournament and made his presence felt in just his third List A game.
Opening the batting for his side, the 21-year-old showed his ability to construct an innings and a penchant for scoring big runs by staying till the end. He anchored the innings initially, and the first hundred took some time to come (107 balls) in the 37th over of the innings. Soon, he shifted gears, taking just 27 balls to motor from 100 to 150.
The next fifty was the quickest as he needed just 20 balls, including 14 runs in the last three balls, to reach his maiden List A double ton. In all, the youngster took 154 balls to achieve the feat with the help of 12 fours and 13 sixes. His knock took Hyderabad to a daunting 352/5 and earned them a massive 107-run win.
Aman scored these runs against Bengal’s bowling attack comprising India international bowlers like Mohammad Shami, Akash Deep, Shahbaz Ahmed, and Mukesh Kumar. This shows the quality the young man possesses, albeit at an early stage.
Read More: Meet Aman Rao, Rajasthan Royals new find who struck double hundred for Hyderabad in VHT 2025-26
Devdutt Padikkal – 147 vs Jharkhand
Devdutt Padikkal of Karnataka has scored runs for fun in this VHT, and this knock was yet another example of the left-hander’s dominance in the format. In the opening round of the tournament, Padikkal showcased his brilliance by successfully leading a daunting chase for his side.
Jharkhand had set Karnataka a mammoth total of 413, and the former champions required someone to play a big innings. Padikkal stepped up, and he found able allies almost throughout the batting essay. The left-hander reached his 10th List A ton in 87 balls, and gave the perfect acceleration post that, before getting dismissed on 147 from just 118 balls.
With 88 runs required off the last nine, Karnataka’s Abhinav Manohar and Dhruv Prabhakar sealed the deal as they chased down the highest total in VHT history with 15 balls to spare.
Read More: Devdutt Padikkal has brought up 4 centuries in his last 5 List A innings; makes a strong candidature
Auqib Nabi – 114* vs Hyderabad
An unlikely entrant into the list is Auqib Nabi’s unbeaten 82-ball 114 against Hyderabad in Jammu & Kashmir’s last round game at Rajkot. In a chase of 269, J&K were reeling at 78/6 in the 20th over when pacer Aqu Nabi joined Abid Mushtaq at No.8.
This soon became 90/7 in the 23rd over before J&K scripted one of the best comeback wins in VHT history. Nabi, along with Vanshaj Sharma (69*), added 182 for the eighth wicket to get their team over the line. Nabi, who had earlier picked up three wickets in the game, scored his maiden century in his domestic career. The knock was laced with seven boundaries and three sixes, giving his side a win after a string of four successive losses.
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