Hyderabad’s Tanmay Agarwal smashes fastest triple hundred in first-class cricket

The 28-year-old, Tanmay Agarwal broke the world record for the fastest triple-century in the history of first-class cricket in a Ranji Trophy plate group match against Arunachal Pradesh.

The Hyderabad opener reached the milestone off only 147 balls, breaking the previous record of South African cricketer Marco Marais who had achieved it in 191 balls during the game between Border and Western Province. 

This remarkable feat achieved during a single day’s play, not only shattered existing milestones but also positioned Agarwal as a trailblazer in the realm of first-class cricket. Clocking in at 183 minutes Agarwal’s triple hundred stands as the second-fastest by time, trailing only Denis Compton’s iconic 181-minute feat in 1948, highlighting the persistent pace of his innings. 

The match, which was played at ‘Gen-Next’ cricket ground in Hyderabad, witnessed a tremendous 529 for 1 in just 48 overs with Tanmay’s unbeaten 323 off just 160 balls at the end of the day’s play. 

The opener’s knock was studded with 33 fours and 21 sixes. He added 449 for the opening partnership with Rahul Singh, who hit 185 in just 105 balls. The duo eventually fell only 15 runs short of the highest opening stand in Ranji Trophy history. However, it is now the highest first-class partnership for Hyderabad for any wicket. 

Tanmay Agarwal’s sensational performance continued as he secured the fastest first-class double century by an Indian, getting the feat in just 119 balls surpassing Ravi Shastri’s long standing record. 

Besides this, Agarwal became the first Indian batter to score 300-plus runs in a single day’s play in Ranji history, outshining Virender Shewag’s previous record, and marking a historic milestone. Tanmay’s 21 sixes during the triple hundred are the third-most by any batter in a first-class innings. 

Overall, a total of 701 runs were registered on the day in 87.4 overs, which is also only the second-time, the 700-run mark has been crossed in a single day in first-class cricket. It is also the first time since 1950, that two sides combined made over 700 in a single day’s play in the format.