Rajat Patidar sends message to selectors before BGT with record-breaking 68-ball century in Ranji Trophy

India National Cricket Team batter Rajat Patidar achieved a massive feat in the history of the Ranji Trophy. The right-hander slammed the fastest-ever century by the Madhya Pradesh batter in the prestigious domestic tournament.

Rajat Patidar achieved the feat in the team’s third-round match of the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 against Haryana on Tuesday (29th October). The match between the two teams is taking place at the Holkar Stadium in Indore.

Rajat Patidar slammed his ton in just 68 balls

Rajat Patidar came to bat at No.3 for his team and looked in a positive frame of mind. The batter didn't have a great outing in the first innings and made sure that he came up with a superlative effort for his team with the bat in the second innings and put them in a strong position.

Rajat Patidar slammed his ton in just 68 balls and surpassed Naman Ojha's record for the fastest ton by a Madhya Pradesh batter. The former India wicketkeeper batter slammed a century in 69 balls against Karnataka for his state team in the Ranji Trophy 2015.

Fastest centuries in the Ranji Trophy

Overall, Rishabh Pant holds the record for the fastest Ranji Trophy hundred in 48 balls. While former Himachal Pradesh batter Shakti Singh is reported to have struck a 45-ball hundred in 1990 against Haryana, the century was not recorded officially for the lack of proper documentation.

Here are the fastest centuries in the Ranji Trophy:

48 balls – Rishabh Pant (2016/17)

56 balls – Riyan Parag (2023-24)

56 balls – RK Borah (1987/88)

60 balls – S Reuben Paul (1995/96)

68 balls – Rajat Patidar (2024-25)

69 balls – Naman Ojha (2015-16)

Rajat Patidar ends with an innings of 157 runs off 102 balls.

Patidar played a great hand for his team and slammed 11 fours and three sixes as he hit his 13th century in his First-Class career. Later he brought his brutal best and took an attack on the Haryana bowlers, hitting them all over the park.

Patidar ended with an innings of 157 runs off 102 balls. He hit 13 fours and 7 sixes in his innings. Thanks to his heroics with the bat, Madhya Pradesh declared at 308 for four in only 48.4 overs, setting a 171-run target for Haryana on the last day of the game in Indore.

Earlier this year, Patidar made his Test debut for India National Cricket Team in the five-match Test series against England National Cricket Team. However, he failed to get going in the opportunities that he got and then was dropped from the team. Since then has been on the sidelines.

Patidar managed only 63 runs in six innings in the series against England. He also wasn't named in the India A squad that will play two games in Australia, starting Thursday. He would be hoping to set the stage on fire in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 and make his case strong for a comeback to the national team setup.