Radiant Glory: Aman Rao’s Double Century Masterpiece

Over the past decade and a half, T20 cricket has gained remarkable popularity, often criticized for negatively impacting the technical skills of emerging batters. Yet, this format frequently inspires players who showcase its positive aspects, such as self-confidence and fearlessness. A prime example is Hyderabad’s Aman Rao.

At just 21 years old, Aman Rao made a significant impact on the cricket field by scoring an unbeaten double century for his state against Bengal in the 2025 Vijay Hazare Trophy. What stood out during this young opener’s innings was its resilient nature, especially since he was only playing his third senior 50-over match. Aman skillfully maneuvered through the middle overs against spinners on a slightly difficult pitch. During the first half of his double ton, he encountered a self-described ‘tough’ phase struggling to rotate the strike. However, once he reached his century, his batting approach transformed. His second hundred came off just 46 balls, featuring a calculated onslaught against Bengal’s pace attack, including distinguished bowlers like Mohammed Shami, Akash Deep, and Mukesh Kumar.

Reflecting on his innings, Aman shared with Sportstar, “When I came in to bat, my plan was to last 40 overs. With Rahul bhai [Rahul Singh Gahlaut] scoring at the other end, I felt relieved even though I wasn’t scoring during the PowerPlay.” Aman recounted how helpful it was to have Tilak bhai [Tilak Varma] encouraging him, “Even when playing many dot balls, he kept telling me to stay at the wicket and runs would eventually come.”

Aman’s talent had already been evident during his debut for Hyderabad in the last match of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024/25 campaign, where he scored an unbeaten 67 off 42 balls. Despite a modest domestic Under-23 season, he was chosen as an opener for the following season. In that tournament, Aman scored 234 runs in 10 matches with an impressive strike rate of 163.63, aiding Hyderabad in reaching the Super League stage.

His standout moment came against the defending champions Mumbai, where he aggressively scored a 29-ball 52, helping his team chase a 131-run target swiftly. This performance led to his selection by the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2026 auction for INR 30 lakh, much to his team’s delight. Aman expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to learn from legends like Kumar Sangakkara and Vikram Rathour.

Since his introduction to cricket at six, inspired by his brother Akash, Aman has been known for his naturally aggressive style. He acknowledges the importance of adapting his approach, especially after early setbacks in the Vijay Hazare Trophy where he realized the need for more strategic batting beyond just hitting boundaries.

Aman now aspires to become an all-format batter. While he enjoys the shorter formats, he also aims to master red-ball cricket, understanding the importance of balancing aggression and patience. His vision is to improve against challenging bowling conditions and to adapt his strategies accordingly.

Aman’s recent performance at the Niranjan Shah Stadium signifies a leap into the domestic spotlight. His unique celebration—interlocking his hands like a mask—symbolizes his newfound recognition. This achievement highlights the defining traits of the next generation of cricketers: audacity, determination, and a touch of flair.

Published on Jan 07, 2026