In a breathtaking display of power-hitting, Hyderabad's young opener Aman Rao announced his arrival on the domestic one-day scene with a scintillating double century against Bengal in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The 21-year-old, fresh from an IPL contract, remained unbeaten on 200 runs, dismantling a Bengal attack featuring three Indian international pacers in Rajkot on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
From Steady Start to Carnage: The Innings Breakdown
Walking in with modest scores of 39 and 13 in his first two Vijay Hazare matches, Rao began cautiously. He notched his maiden List A fifty in 65 balls, laying a solid foundation. However, what followed was pure carnage. The Wisconsin-born batter accelerated dramatically, reaching his first List A century in 108 deliveries. He then doubled his score in just the next 46 balls, showcasing an extraordinary gear shift.
Rao's assault was particularly severe on Bengal's star-studded pace battery. He took a special liking to the trio of Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar, and Akash Deep, clubbing a staggering 120 runs off their bowling alone. His innings was laced with 12 fours and 13 sixes, eight of those maximums coming against the Indian pacemen.
Nerve of Steel in the Final Over
The climax of his knock was as dramatic as it gets. Entering the final over bowled by Akash Deep on 194*, Rao faced the prospect of falling just short of the landmark. Displaying immense composure, he held his nerve and saved his best for last. He smoked the final delivery, a yorker, over long-on for a huge six, finishing exactly on 200 not out from 154 balls. This heroic effort made him only the 15th Indian man to score a double century in List A cricket.
This is the second-highest score of the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy season, following Odisha opener Swastik Samal's 212. Both batters converted their maiden fifty-plus scores in the format into monumental double hundreds.
The Rapid Rise of a New Star
Aman Rao is no stranger to the limelight. He had already turned heads during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025-26 season. In a memorable match, he blasted a quickfire half-century against Mumbai, smashing India all-rounder Shardul Thakur for 24 runs in the very first over of a 132-run chase.
His explosive talent was recognized at the IPL 2026 Auction in Abu Dhabi last month. In what now seems a bargain deal, Rajasthan Royals secured his services at his base price of Rs 30 lakh. This double century, coming right after his IPL selection, validates the franchise's faith and signals the rise of a formidable new batting talent in Indian cricket. His ability to dominate high-quality pace bowling under pressure marks him as a player with a very bright future.
