Ranji Trophy: Tanmay Agarwal Records Joint-Fourth Highest FC Score by an Indian Batter

Hyderabad opener Tanmay Agarwal carved a niche for himself in the annals of first-class cricket on Saturday as he made an incredible 366 runs for his side in the Ranji Trophy match against Arunachal Pradesh.

Agarwal’s score makes him the joint-fourth-highest first-class score for an Indian as he drew level with Maturi Venkat Sridhar, who also made 366 runs for Hyderabad against Andhra at Secunderabad back in the year 1994.

Only Sanjay Manjrekar’s 377 run knock for Bombay against Hyderabad at the Wankhede in 1991, Prithvi Shaw’s 397 run innings representing Mumbai against Assam at Guwahati last year and Bhausaheb Nimbalkar’s unbeaten 443 runs for Maharashtra against Kathiawar in the year 1948 stand above Agarwal’s efforts in the first-class circuit.

Legendary West Indies batsman Brian Lara holds the record for the highest score in a first class fixture with his unbeaten 501 runs for Warwickshire against Durham at Birmingham in the year 1994.

Hanif Mohammed’s 499 runs for Karachi at home against Bahawalpur in 1959 remains the second highest score, followed by Sir Don Bradman’s unbeaten 452 runs knock for New South Wales against Queensland all the way back in the year 1930.

Nimbalkar’s knock is the fourth-highest first-class score in the world, followed by Bill Ponsford’s 437 for Victoria against Queensland in 1927 is ranked fifth in the list.

Hyderabad won the toss and opted to field first as they bundled out Arunachal Pradesh for 172 runs. Opener Doria remained unbeaten on 97, while other wickets fell like nine-pins at the other end.

Chama Milind and Karthikeya Kak scalped three wickets each for the Hyderabdi unit while Tanay Thyagarajan dismissed two AP batters. Elligaram Sanketh and Saaketh ended with a wicket each to their names.

Agarwal was in fine fettle ever since taking crease to open Hyderabad’s innings and stormed his way to a triple-century mark in incredibly quick fashion.

The 28-year-old opener made his 366 runs in just 181 balls at an astounding strike rate of 202.21 as he peppered the field with 34 fours and 26 massive sixers.

He was supported well by Rahul Singh Gahlaut, who added 185 runs off his willow as Hyderabad made 615 runs before declaring their innings.

The opener’s knocks led Hyderabad to a 443-run lead over Arunachal, as the AP batting order came out to play their second innings on Saturday.