Who is Vidarbha’s Aman Mokhade, the leading run-getter in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26

Who is Vidarbha’s Aman Mokhade? Leading run-getter in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, showcasing consistency and scoring prowess.

Aman Mokhade, the 25-year-old right-handed opener from Nagpur representing Vidarbha, tops the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 run-getters list with 781 runs at an average of 97.62, including five centuries in nine matches. His explosive form has driven Vidarbha into the final against Saurashtra on January 18 in Bengaluru, surpassing Karnataka’s Devdutt Padikkal’s 725 runs and marking a season of quiet dominance.

Born on January 16, 2001, in Nagpur, Mokhade grew up playing on dusty maidans, facing early benchwarmings in Vidarbha’s senior setup before earning his place. Last season in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he jointly led Vidarbha’s run-scorers alongside Dhruv Shorey, building a reputation for reliability that blossomed this year. Mentored by figures like Yashasvi Jaiswal’s coach and former teammate Karun Nair, Mokhade transitioned from peripheral player to linchpin, honing consistency into a weapon.

“Last season, Karun was with us, and I spoke to him often – over dinners and coffee – about batting and mindset. The one thing he told me that stayed with me was that every batter is different. What works for him might not work for me, and I had to find what suits my game,” Mokhade said while speaking to ESPNcricinfo.

That previous campaign laid the groundwork: shared honours with Shorey showcased his potential amid tougher competition. This edition, he elevated it, scoring relentlessly. His journey reflects the grit local lad defying odds, now Vidarbha’s batting spearhead.

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Aman Mokhade’s excellence in VHT 2025-26
Mokhade announced himself with a commanding 110 off 99 balls against Bengal, mixing solidity with flair in a high-pressure opener. He followed it up with a brisk 82 off 78 against Hyderabad, setting the tone for accumulation. The middle phase of the tournament saw his batting reach another level: 139 off 125 versus Jammu & Kashmir was rich in classic drives, an unbeaten 150 against Baroda underlined his endurance; 147 off Uttar Pradesh blended aggression with composure.

Each knock built a narrative, adapting to pitches, opposition attacks, chasing or setting. These four centuries before semis positioned him ahead, proving versatility across scenarios. While peers faltered, Mokhade piled runs methodically, his average soaring as Vidarbha advanced unbeaten.

Semifinal heroics against Karnataka
At Bengaluru’s Centre of Excellence, Mokhade’s 138 off 122 balls (12 fours, 2 sixes) masterminded a chase of 281 against defending champions Karnataka. Early loss of Atharva Taide tested resolve; he rebuilt with Shorey’s 47 for 98 runs, then unleashed with Ravikumar Samarth’s unbeaten 76 for 147 partnership.

Flicks off pads, crisp cover drives flowed; he reached three figures before holing out with 27 needed, composure intact. This fifth ton avenged last year’s final defeat, propelling Vidarbha to consecutive finals.

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Record-breaking milestones & Batting Style
That semi-final innings equalled the joint-fastest 1,000 List A runs in 16 innings, matching Graeme Pollock and faster than Indians like Padikkal or Abhinav Mukund (17). He tied N Jagadeesan’s Vijay Hazare record of five centuries in one edition.

These feats spotlight rarity, volume, efficiency, and multi-format threat. Joint-record holder now, Mokhade’s pace signals white-ball prodigy.

Technically proficient right-hander with leg-break tweaks, Mokhade executes classic strokes: straight drives pierce gaps, leg-side flicks mesmerise, late cuts dissect fields.

ODI-suited temperament also shines unflappably in collapses, adapts to batting first (big hundreds) or chasing (composed partnerships). Pressure? He thrives, old-school poise meeting modern aggression.

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