In a stunning turnaround, Vidarbha's young opening batter Aman Mokhade has emerged as the standout performer of the 2025-26 domestic cricket season, exceeding the ambitious target set by his mentor and coach Jwala Singh.
From Modest Beginnings to Record-Breaking Feats
When the season commenced, Mokhade's task from his Mumbai-based coach Jwala Singh was clear but daunting: finish among the top 10 run-getters in the Ranji Trophy. This directive came after a challenging 2024-25 season where Mokhade managed only 107 runs in four matches, struggling to secure his place in the Vidarbha XI. However, the 24-year-old left-hander from Nagpur has not just met this goal but has spectacularly surpassed it.
Mokhade is currently the highest run-scorer in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. In just three matches, he has amassed 331 runs at an impressive average of 110.33 and a strike rate of 109.60, including two centuries. His remarkable form includes a brilliant 110 off 99 balls against a formidable Bengal attack featuring India internationals Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, and Shahbaz Ahmed. He followed this with a blistering 139 off 125 balls against Jammu & Kashmir.
Dominance Across All Formats
His purple patch extends across all domestic competitions. In the first leg of the Ranji Trophy, Mokhade has piled up 577 runs in five matches at a staggering average of 96.16, featuring three hundreds and a fifty, with a top score of 183. This places him firmly among the tournament's top six run-getters.
His consistency is further highlighted in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, where he was Vidarbha's joint-top scorer with Dhruv Shorey, making 206 runs in six matches at an average of 34.33, including three fifties. These performances mark a significant leap for a player whose first-class record stood at 870 runs in 13 matches before this breakout season.
The Jwala Singh Influence and Future Aspirations
Mokhade credits his transformation to the guidance of coach Jwala Singh, who is also renowned for mentoring Indian stars Yashasvi Jaiswal and Prithvi Shaw. "He helped me a lot in arranging practice sessions, like open nets scenarios. And playing on different surfaces, like on plastic cover, wet cement pitches. He also helped me with mental preparation," Mokhade revealed.
Their partnership began about three years ago after a recommendation. Jwala Singh admitted initial reluctance, noting the similarity to coaching another left-handed opener, Yashasvi Jaiswal. "I was initially reluctant to coach him, but Vidarbha batsman Apoorv Wankhede, who trains under me, convinced me. The boy has serious talent," Jwala stated.
With confidence soaring, Mokhade has set his sights high. "I want to play for India and I also want an opportunity to play in the IPL," he declared, signaling his ambitions for the national team and the lucrative T20 league. His current form makes a compelling case for both, as he continues to outshine even established names like India's Dhruv Jurel in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
