Uttarakahand opener Karn Veer Kaushal entered the record books by scoring the first double century in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, smashing 202 off 135 balls, to star in a 199-run rout of Sikkim in a Plate group match here on Saturday.
The in-form Kaushal, who has now three 100-plus scores from seven matches, eclipsed Ajinkya Rahane's 187 for Mumbai against Maharashtra in Pune in 2007-08.
In List A cricket, which includes ODIs, the 200-mark has been breached six times by Indian batsmen — Rohit Sharma (thrice), Virender Sehwag, Shikhar Dhawan and Sachin Tendulkar one each. But this is for the first time it has happened in the country's domestic circuit.
Kaushal also shattered the record for the highest opening stand in List A cricket in India when he along with his opening partner, Vineet Saxena (100 runs of 133 balls), put on 296 runs to lay the foundation for Uttarakhand's 366 for two in 50 overs.
Kaushal, who debuted against Bihar in this tournament, smashed 18 fours and nine sixes in a strike rate of 149.63 on the way to his third 100-plus score — the most in the tournament so far.
Chasing the huge target, Sikkim's outing with the bat too turned out to be one of misery as they lost four wickets for 42 inside 12 overs before half centuries by Lee Yong Lepcha and Padam Limboo took them to 167 for six in 50 overs.
The victory also kept afloat Uttarakhand's hopes of qualifying for the next round as they moved up to the second spot with 24 points from seven matches.
One team from the plate group make the quarters.