In a stunning display of power-hitting, Hyderabad's young opener Aman Rao announced his arrival on the domestic cricket stage with a breathtaking double century. The 21-year-old, recently bought by the Rajasthan Royals for ₹30 lakhs, achieved the milestone on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, against Bengal in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26.
A Historic Knock at Rajkot
The right-handed batter remained unbeaten on 200 runs from just 154 deliveries at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. His innings was the cornerstone of Hyderabad's massive total of 352 for 5 in their 50 overs. This knock is now the highest individual score by any Hyderabad batter in the history of List A cricket.
Aman's assault was relentless, featuring 12 fours and 13 sixes. He took on a seasoned Bengal bowling attack that included India's premier fast bowler, Mohammed Shami, and the talented Akash Deep. Despite wickets falling regularly at the other end, Aman held the innings together with remarkable composure for a player in only his third List A match.
The Dramatic Finale
The climax of his innings was nothing short of cinematic. Facing the final ball of the innings from Akash Deep, Aman was on 194. With the pressure off but history within reach, he launched the ball over the boundary for a huge six, reaching the magical double-hundred mark. This last-ball heroics capped off an extraordinary innings that has set the domestic circuit abuzz.
He built crucial partnerships during his stay at the crease. First, he added 104 runs for the opening wicket with Gahlaut Rahul Singh. After Rahul's dismissal, Aman then stitched together another solid stand of 87 runs with the experienced Tilak Varma for the second wicket, stabilizing the innings before accelerating.
Who is Aman Rao?
Aman Rao was born in Madison, Wisconsin, USA, but chose to pursue his cricketing dreams in Indian domestic cricket. A newcomer to Hyderabad's senior team, he first impressed in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 (SMAT) tournament, where he boasts a strike rate of over 160, earning a reputation as a clean striker of the ball.
His journey to prominence began with strong performances in age-group cricket. In the U-23 State Trophy, he amassed 381 runs in just six matches, scoring one century and three half-centuries at a strike rate of 102.97.
The moment that truly catapulted him into the limelight came during the SMAT. In a match against Mumbai, he blasted 24 runs off India international Shardul Thakur in the very first over of the innings, racing to a quickfire fifty. This explosive performance caught the keen eye of the Rajasthan Royals scouts, leading to his ₹30 lakh purchase at the IPL 2026 auction.
This monumental double century not only marks a personal triumph for Aman Rao but also signals the arrival of a formidable new talent in Indian cricket. His ability to perform under pressure and play match-winning innings makes him a player to watch in the upcoming IPL season and beyond.
