Baroda’s Amit Passi slams record-equalling 114 on T20 debut in SMAT

Baroda wicketkeeper-batter Amit Passi announced his arrival in spectacular fashion, smashing a century on his T20 debut and equalling the world record for the highest score in a maiden T20 appearance during his team’s final league match of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) on Monday.

The 26-year-old hammered 114 off 55 deliveries, an innings studded with 10 fours and nine sixes, to power Baroda to a 13-run victory over Services. His blistering knock places him alongside Pakistan’s Bilal Asif, who scored an identical 114 off 48 balls for Sialkot Stallions in Faisalabad in 2015, the joint-highest individual score by a debutant in men’s T20 cricket.

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Passi also became only the third Indian to score a century on T20 debut, following Punjab’s Shivam Bhambri and Hyderabad’s Akshath Reddy, both of whom reached the milestone in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

With India wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma unavailable due to national commitments against South Africa, Passi was promoted to open the innings and made full use of the opportunity.

He anchored the innings with two crucial partnerships, a 60-run stand for the third wicket with Shivalik Sharma, and a rapid 75-run association with captain Vishnu Solanki off just 32 balls. Their combined efforts propelled Baroda to a formidable 220/5 in 20 overs.

Services mounted a spirited chase, led by half-centuries from Kunwar Pathak and Ravi Chauhan, along with a brisk 41 from Mohit Ahlawat. However, they eventually finished at 207/8, falling short by 13 runs. Despite the win, Baroda’s campaign comes to an end as they remain out of contention for a Super League berth from the highly competitive Elite Group C.