Kerala batter Vishnu Vinod produced a knock for the ages in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, delivering a record-shattering performance that left Puducherry completely out of answers.
At the Narendra Modi Stadium A Ground in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, January 6, Vinod unleashed a breathtaking unbeaten 162 off just 84 balls, powering Kerala to a crushing win while etching his name deep into India's domestic cricket record books.
Chasing a target of 248, Kerala appeared momentarily unsettled after losing openers Sanju Samson and skipper Rohan Kunnummal inside the first five overs. However, any thoughts of a contest were quickly erased once Vinod found his rhythm. From his first few strokes, the right-hander looked supremely assured, seamlessly blending classical
timing with brutal hitting to dominate the bowling attack.
Vinod's innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression. He struck 13 fours and launched an astonishing 14 sixes, repeatedly sending the ball sailing into the stands with effortless power. His century came up in just 63 deliveries, a clear reflection of the pressure he exerted on the Puducherry bowlers, who struggled to find any answer to his range and intent.
What followed was even more remarkable. Vinod shifted gears after reaching three figures, racing from 100 to 150 in a mere 18 balls and reaching the milestone in just 81 deliveries. This stunning acceleration placed him among elite company, as the innings now stands as the third-fastest 150 by an Indian batter in List A cricket.
The knock also carried significant personal milestones. By smashing 14 sixes, Vinod crossed the landmark of 100 sixes in Vijay Hazare Trophy history, becoming only the third Indian batter to achieve the feat. He now joins Manish Pandey and Ruturaj Gaikwad in an exclusive club and has moved past Gaikwad in total sixes scored in the tournament.
Vinod found strong support in Baba Aparajith, with the pair stitching together an unbeaten 222-run partnership for the third wicket. Their stand ensured Kerala stormed home in just 29 overs, finishing the chase with 186 balls to spare.
This extraordinary innings not only sealed a dominant victory for Kerala but also firmly established Vishnu Vinod's knock as one of the defining moments of the Vijay Hazare Trophy season.
