Kerala batter Vishnu Vinod delivered one of the most explosive innings of the Vijay Hazare Trophy season, single-handedly decimating the Puducherry bowling attack at the Narendra Modi Stadium A Ground in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, January 6. Chasing a modest target of 248, Vinod went into overdrive, playing a breathtaking unbeaten innings of 162 off just 84 deliveries, ensuring Kerala completed the chase emphatically.
From the moment he settled at the crease, Vinod appeared in complete control. He showcased a wide array of strokes, combining timing with brute power to keep the scoreboard moving at a rapid pace. The right-hander peppered the boundary with ease, hitting 13 fours and clearing the ropes an astonishing 14 times. His hundred came off only
63 balls, underscoring the sheer dominance of his innings as Puducherry’s bowlers struggled to contain him.
What made Vinod’s knock even more remarkable was the speed at which he accelerated after reaching three figures. He needed just 18 more balls to add the next 50 runs, reaching 150 in only 81 deliveries. This effort now ranks as the third-fastest 150 by an Indian batter in List A cricket, placing him in elite company alongside Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Dinesh Karthik.
💯 up in style as well 👌
Vishnu Vinod brings up his century in just 63 balls 👏
A brilliant attacking knock from the Kerala batter 🔥
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/szHbOWqpZK#VijayHazareTrophy | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/r18j0PEvMC
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) January 6, 2026
3rd To 100 Sixes
In addition to his match-winning innings, Vinod also achieved a significant personal milestone. By hitting 14 sixes in this knock, he crossed the landmark of 100 sixes in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. This feat makes him only the third Indian batter to achieve this milestone in the domestic 50-over competition. He joins Manish Pandey and Ruturaj Gaikwad on this exclusive list and has now surpassed Gaikwad in terms of overall sixes scored in the tournament.
Most Sixes In Vijay Hazare Trophy:
| Rank | Player Name | Sixes Hit | Innings Played |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manish Pandey | 108 | 99 |
| 2 | Vishnu Vinod | 106 | 53 |
| 3 | Ruturaj Gaikwad | 105 | 55 |
| 4 | Yusuf Pathan | 91 | 56 |
| 5 | Ishan Kishan | 85 | 50 |
Regarding the match itself, Kerala made light work of the chase despite an early wobble. Openers Sanju Samson and captain Rohan Kunnummal were dismissed within the first five overs, briefly putting the team under pressure. However, Vinod found the perfect partner in Baba Aparajith, and the duo completely turned the game around.
The pair stitched together an unbeaten partnership of 222 runs for the third wicket, showing composure as well as attacking intent. Their stand ensured Kerala cruised home in just 29 overs, with a massive 186 balls to spare, sealing a comprehensive victory.
