Hyderabad's Tanmay Agarwal creates world record for fastest First-Class triple ton
Hyderabad, Jan 26: Hyderabad opener Tanmay Agarwal broke the world record for the fastest triple-hundred in the history of first-class cricket in a Ranji Trophy Plate Group match against Arunachal Pradesh here on Friday.
The 28-year-old reached the milestone off only 147 balls, beating the previous record of South African cricketer Marco Marais, who had achieved in 191 balls during the game between Border and Western Province.
However, the lopsided contest against a north-eastern side once again raised questions about directly integrating them into Ranji Trophy where records are being broken at monotonic regularity.
The match, which was played on the outskirts of the city at 'Gen-Next' cricket ground and Hyderabad, witnessed a whopping 529 for 1 in just 48 overs with Tanmay's undefeated 323 off just 160 balls at the end of the day's play.
This was after Arunachal scored 172 in 39.1 overs.
The left-hander's innings was studded with 33 fours and 21 sixes. He added 449 for the opening stand with Rahul Singh, who smashed 185 in just 105 balls.
"I feel good and grateful. After I completed 150, I just started hitting and luck was in my favour. I always found middle of the bat and balls went out. I just kept batting and kept hitting," a composed Agarwal told PTI, his voice rarely giving away any emotions.
So when did he come to know about the world record?
"After the end of the day's play... From teammates to my family, everyone is very happy," Agarwal, who already has 11 first-class tons before this record, added.
So what does he make of his triple hundred considering the quality of opposition?
"When you compare with Elite teams, this kind of feat is not possible, but I didn't think about quality of opposition and kept playing the way I had to.
"The world record just happened. Nothing was planned. There were no plans that I would do this and that. It just happened," said Agarwal, who has played all his cricket for Hyderabad.
The highest Indian first-class score is 443 by BB Nimbalkar, who hit it in a Ranji Trophy match between Maharashtra and Kathiawar.
The world record for highest individual first-class score is 501 not out by the legendary Brian Lara for Warwickshire in an English county game against Durham.
Is he looking at both the records?
"No, I am not because I don't know how much longer we will be batting on Saturday. As long as I bat tomorrow, I will try to play like I started the innings today. If it happens, it happens. I don't have in mind that I have to achieve this or that," Agarwal sounded nonchalant.
Agarwal said he does not have one specific coach.
"I have had a lot of coaches over the years not one coach."
Divyanshu Yadav (0/117 in 9 overs) and Techi Doria (0/101 in 9 overs) are two bowlers, who conceded more than hundred runs in less than 10 overs.
Brief Scores:
Arunachal Pradesh 172 in 39.1 overs. Hyderabad 529/1 in 48 overs (Tanmay Agarwal 323 batting, Rahul Singh 185).
Magnificent! 🤯
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) January 26, 2024
Hyderabad's Tanmay Agarwal has hit the fastest triple century in First-Class cricket, off 147 balls, against Arunachal Pradesh in the @IDFCFIRSTBank #RanjiTrophy match 👌
He's unbeaten on 323*(160), with 33 fours & 21 sixes in his marathon knock so far 🙌 pic.twitter.com/KhfohK6Oc8
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AI, IndiGo, SpiceJet seek ATF price relief; say airline industry on verge of 'stopping operations'
Mumbai (PTI): Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet have told the government that the country's airline industry is under extreme stress and on the verge of "stopping operations", as they sought revision in ATF pricing and financial support.
The West Asia turmoil has pushed up oil prices, and airspace restrictions have increased airlines' operating costs, especially on long-haul routes. Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) accounts for around 40 per cent of a carrier's operational expenses.
Against this backdrop, the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) has written to the civil aviation ministry, seeking steps to extend the same fuel pricing mechanism uniformly across both domestic and international operations as was done in the past with the establishment of the crack band.
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With an unprecedented rise in jet fuel prices and exorbitant crack/differential between crude and ATF, the federation said the operation of airlines is being challenged in totality.
"... any ad hoc pricing (domestic vs international) and/or irrational increase in the price of ATF will result in unsurmountable losses for airlines and will lead to grounding of aircraft, resulting in cancellation of flights," the federation, which represents Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet, said.
"In order to survive, sustain and continue operation, we request your urgent intervention for immediate and meaningful financial support to tide over the current situation," it said in a letter on April 26.
Also, the airlines have sought temporary deferment of excise duty on ATF, which is at 11 per cent.
"With the abnormal increase in ATF prices from the pre-crisis period, adding rupee depreciation to the increased prices, the 11 per cent excise duty also increases manifold for the airlines and adds to the ATF price as a big impact on airlines," they said.
Last month, the government limited the hike in ATF price to Rs 15 per litre for domestic operations, but for international operations, the price rose by Rs 73 per litre.
The airlines said the situation has practically made international operations, along with domestic operations, completely unviable and resulted in significant losses for the aviation sector in April.
Seeking urgent intervention on the current ATF ad hoc pricing, FIA said the current situation is creating a severe imbalance in domestic and international operations and rendering airline networks unviable and unsustainable.
"The airline industry in India is under extreme stress and is on the verge of closing down or of stopping its operations."
The federation has pitched for a transparent pricing framework under the crack band mechanism (USD 12–22/BBL) that was implemented in October 2022, saying there was a fair and reasonable margin for Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
According to FIA, the country's largest aviation hub Delhi has the second-highest value-added tax (VAT) of 25 per cent on jet fuel, while the highest rate is 29 per cent levied in Tamil Nadu.
"The other major aviation cities, viz. Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Kolkata range between 16 per cent and 20 per cent. These 6 cities cover more than 50 per cent of airlines' operations within India," the federation said.
