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In a historic display of power-hitting, Tanmay Agarwal fell just short of Brian Lara's world record for the highest individual score in first-class cricket but set a new benchmark for the most sixes in a single innings. Playing for Hyderabad against Arunachala Pradesh in a Ranji Trophy Plate Group match, Agarwal's innings of 366 off 181 balls included an astounding 26 sixes, breaking the previous record held by Colin Munro.
Agarwal's assault on the record books began on day one when he smashed the fastest triple century in the history of first-class cricket, achieving the milestone off just 147 balls. Resuming the second day at 323, he quickly reached 350 and added five more sixes to his tally, eclipsing Munro's record of 23. The achievement is particularly noteworthy considering the previous Indian record for sixes in a first-class innings was 14.
The opener's innings also marked the joint fourth-highest first-class score by an Indian, tied with MV Sridhar. The record for the highest score in Ranji Trophy history remains with BB Nimbalkar, who scored an unbeaten 443.
Despite the remarkable individual performance, questions have been raised about the competitive balance in matches involving north-eastern teams. The lopsided contest against Arunachala Pradesh has reignited discussions about their direct integration into the Ranji Trophy. Agarwal, however, remained focused on his performance, stating that he did not think about the quality of the opposition and played according to his plan.
When asked about breaking records, Agarwal maintained a composed demeanor, emphasizing that the world record for sixes "just happened" and was not premeditated. Despite falling short of Lara's unbeaten 501, Agarwal expressed gratitude and downplayed any personal goals, stating that he would continue to play in the same manner as the innings unfolded.
As Tanmay Agarwal's remarkable innings sparks conversations about record-breaking feats and the integration of teams in domestic cricket, the cricketing community awaits further developments in the ongoing Ranji Trophy season.
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