Rajat Patidar smashes third fastest century in Ranji Trophy history

Madhya Pradesh's powerful batter Rajat Patidar scored third fastest century in Ranji Trophy history in just 68 balls during day four of his side’s Ranji Trophy 2024-25 round three match against Haryana in Indore. 

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During the match between Haryana and Madhya Pradesh of Ranji Trophy Elite 2024-25, Patidar came to bat at number three for Madhya Pradesh. During his innings, he batted aggressively and scored a hundred and took 68 balls for this. This was Patidar's record century. He had scored 159 runs in 102 balls with a strike rate of 155.68. He had completed 150 runs in 97 balls. In his stormy innings, Rajat hit 13 fours and 7 sixes.

Madhya Pradesh had conceded a hefty 132-run first-innings lead after Haryana racked up 440 in response to MP’s 308. With only two sessions left to play, they needed to score rapidly to set a target, and Patidar took charge to give MP the boost they needed in the final innings push.

Fastest century from Madhya Pradesh

Rajat Patidar has also become the batsman to score the fastest century in Ranji Trophy for Madhya Pradesh. This century was Patidar’s 13th in First-Class cricket and marked a comeback for the 31-year-old, who has struggled for form at the start of the domestic season.

Following a disappointing Duleep Trophy campaign in which he managed only 146 runs in six innings, Patidar also faltered in the opening Ranji round. However, he began regaining momentum in the previous match against Punjab, scoring a solid 90.

Patidar's first-class record

Rajat Patidar has a good record in domestic matches. He has scored 4344 runs in 63 first class matches. Patidar has scored 12 centuries and 23 half-centuries. His best score in this format has been 196 runs.

Rajat Patidar has also played three Test matches for Team India. But he could not do anything special during this period. He has also played one ODI match for India. 

Also Read: Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Full schedule and fixture

Fastest century in Ranji Trophy history

• 48 balls - Rishabh Pant (2016/17)
• 56 balls - Riyan Parag (2023-24)
• 68 balls - Rajat Patidar (2024-25)
• 69 balls - Naman Ojha (2015-16)
• 72 balls - Eklavya Dwivedi (2015-16)
• 82 balls - Rishabh Pant (2016/17)

Coming in at No. 3 on the final day of play, Patidar set the game alight with an electrifying knock that eclipsed the previous Madhya Pradesh record for the fastest Ranji Trophy century, leapfrogging Naman Ojha's 69-ball hundred against Karnataka in 2015. The all-time record remains with Rishabh Pant, who smashed a 48-ball hundred in 2016 against Jharkhand.