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Punjab’s top-order batsman Anmolpreet Singh has created a new record in the Vijay Hazare Trophy with his scintillating display of power-hitting. He had scored a century in just 35 balls during a match in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, which has now placed him in the third position in the list of players who have scored the fastest centuries in List-A cricket. His explosive knock not only made it into the record books but also left him as the holder of the fastest List-A century by an Indian cricketer.
The Unstoppable 35-Ball Century
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Anmolpreet’s spectacular innings came against Arunachal Pradesh during a match in Ahmedabad where he batted at number 3. The innings were a treat to the eyes as Anmolpreet reached his century in just 35 balls, setting a new benchmark for fast-scoring in List-A cricket. His century came off the back of 11 boundaries and 8 sixes, showcasing his ability to dominate all kinds of bowlers.
Among the fastest List-A centuries ever, only two players have scored a century quicker than Anmolpreet. The record is held by Jack Fraser-McGurk with a 29-ball century, while AB de Villiers comes in second with his 31-ball century. Anmolpreet’s blazing century is now the third fastest, placing him among the elite players in world cricket.
Targeting Arunachal Pradesh’s Bowling Attack
During his knock, Anmolpreet showed no mercy to the bowlers and kept targeting them with relentless aggression. Amongst the bowlers, Hardik Verma was the left-arm spinner who had been the most economical with an economy rate of 9.52 runs per over. But, he was most unkind to off-spinner Techi Neri as Anmolpreet thrashed him all over and he was left to go for 31 runs in one solitary over.
Thanks to Anmolpreet’s explosive batting, Punjab ran down Arunachal Pradesh’s modest total of 164 runs in just 12.5 overs. A chase that was completed within record time, Anmolpreet scored 115 off only 45 balls while the game was still fresh for him, even after reaching his century when he kept on attacking and ended up hitting another six and a four to extend his domination.
In support of Anmolpreet, his opening partner, Prabhsimran Singh remained unbeaten on 35 runs from 25 balls, which helped Punjab win the match in a comprehensive and swift manner.
Anmolpreet Singh’s Career in Professional Cricket
Anmolpreet Singh’s explosive knock in the Vijay Hazare Trophy is not the first time he has showcased his talent on the big stage. The Punjab batsman has played for Mumbai Indians (MI) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
However, despite his promise, Anmolpreet could not make a significant mark in the IPL, as his performances did not fetch him regular opportunities in the playing XI. The woes in the IPL were compounded by not being picked up in the recent IPL auction, which shows that he faces challenges in securing a consistent spot in top-tier T20 leagues.
Breaking Records in List-A Cricket
Anmolpreet’s century is part of a larger narrative of record-breaking performances in List-A cricket. The fastest List-A century currently recorded is by AB de Villiers, who scored a 149-run century in 44 balls against the West Indies in Johannesburg in 2015. Before that, New Zealand’s Corey Anderson had set the bar at 36 balls with his century against the West Indies in 2014.
However, Anmolpreet’s 35-ball century now positions him as one of the fastest to ever score a century in List-A cricket, further cementing his potential as a game-changing batsman.
Above all, his success in the Vijay Hazare Trophy reflects Anmolpreet’s potential in handling pressure situations of the domestic competition, which are pivotal to his growth as a cricketer. In any case, with further reiterations of his power-hitting and consistency, he won’t be far behind and is an ideal selection for both domestic and international teams.
A Future Star in the Making
Anmolpreet Singh’s whirlwind century in the Vijay Hazare Trophy has catapulted him into the limelight, not just in India but globally, as one of the fastest scorers in List-A cricket. His achievement shows not only his aggressive batting style but also his hunger for success. With the IPL behind him for now, this could be a defining moment in his career, offering him the chance to build on his domestic form and push for bigger opportunities in the future.
With some improvement in consistency and continuous utilization of his abilities, it would not be too early to say that he could really make a mark for himself in international cricket. This scintillating century, coming off just 35 balls, tells one how great a batsman Anmolpreet can be, as the best years are ahead for this promising player.
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