Former Indian Test captain Ajinkya Rahane is all set to play for the Mumbai side in the upcoming Ranji Trophy 2022 season. However, he will not be donning the captaincy hat this time. The 33-year-old has been under a lot of criticism after the South Africa Test series for showing inconsistency over the last two years. Meanwhile, Rahane is now sent back to play in the Ranji Trophy to regain his form. However, Rahane will be playing under young captain Prithvi Shaw, who won the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021-22.
Rahane's captaincy for India has been a huge plus with him yet to lose a Test. Moreover, he has also maintained a 100 percent record in ODIs. His heroic leadership in Australia was a testimony of his skills when things were not going India's way. He proved himself as the ideal candidate to replace Virat Kohli in the Indian Test captaincy role until he lost his batting form. However, the upcoming Ranji season will be a great opportunity for him to get some runs under his belt to hold on to his position on the Indian side.
Ajinkya Rahane has no problem with Prithvi Shaw as the skipper: MCA Official
An MCA official stated that Rahane had been consulted while picking Shaw as the captain. However, Rahane will be mentoring the side as well. In the last few years, the Mumbai side has not got the results in Ranji Trophy as they liked to. The official confirmed that Rahane has no issues with playing under Shaw as the captain. Meanwhile, the squad is likely to be announced in the next two days.
"Captaincy is not important for someone like Ajinkya, who has achieved what was considered to be impossible for a cricket captain."
MCA official was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz
"He has agreed to play as well as mentor the side and help restore the Mumbai glory in domestic cricket. He has no ego issues over the captaincy and has no problem with Shaw as the skipper," the official added.
Rahane will go under the hammer in IPL 2022 mega auction for a base price of INR 1 Crore. Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see if the veteran gets a buyer despite his inconsistent form at the moment.
The Ranji Trophy 2022 second phase will commence on February 10, 2022.
The premier domestic competition named after the first Indian cricketer, Ranjitsinhji, who was also known as 'Ranji', was launched in 1934-35 featuring 15 teams in four zones in a knockout format and has since expanded to a 32-team tournament in the league and knockout format.
The first-ever edition was won by Bombay now known as Mumbai, who have also won the Ranji title the most. Record champions Mumbai have won the Ranji Trophy 41 times so far. Mumbai has also reached the final 47 times.
Karnataka earlier played as Mysore is the second most successful team in the Ranji Trophy, having won the title 8 times and finished runners up 6 times followed by Delhi, who have won the title 7 times and finished as runners-up 8 times.
The Ranji Trophy 2024-25 has finally concluded with Vidarbha winning their third Ranji title defeating Kerala in the finals. Let's check out the last 10 winners of the Ranji title.
Ranji Trophy was founded as the 'Cricket Championship of India' at a meeting of the Board of Control for Cricket in India in July 1934. The first Ranji Trophy fixtures took place in the 1934-35 season.
Mumbai are the most successful state in Ranji's history, winning 42 titles, including 15 consecutive trophies between 1958 and 1973. Here is the Ranji Trophy winners list since the inaugural season.
Mumbai - The most successful team in the Ranji Trophy
Mumbai with the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy. Image | PTI
Mumbai are the most successful first-class team in Indian domestic cricket across different competitions. They have won the Ranji Trophy title a total of 42 times and also won the inaugural season of this prestigious tournament.
Mumbai won seven out of the first 20 seasons and then between the 1950s and 1970s, they won 20 out of 22 titles in the Ranji Trophy. Mumbai's latest title came in the 2023-24 season.
Karanataka players after winning their second consecutive Ranji Trophy title in 2014-15 season. Image | PTI
After Mumbai, Karnataka have won the most Ranji Trophies (8) followed by Delhi (7), Baroda (5), and Madhya Pradesh (5). Karnataka have been part of the tournament since the inaugural season. They had to wait until the 1973-74 edition to lift their maiden title. Their latest win came in the 2014-15 edition.
Delhi won their maiden Ranji title in 1978-79 and their most recent win came in the 2007-08 edition while Baroda made their first-class debut in 1937 and won their maiden title in 1942-43.
Madhya Pradesh have also won five titles after their debut in the 1941 season. They won their first Ranji title in 1945-46, defeating Baroda in the finals.
Vidarbha vs Kerala Ranji Trophy 2024-25 Final Highlights: Vidarbha becomes the champions for third time
Read the Vidarbha vs Kerala Ranji Trophy 2024-25 Final Highlights as Vidarbha claimed their third Ranji Trophy title after the historical season by Harsh Dubey.
Hello and welcome to Sportz Point's coverage of the Ranji Trophy 2024-25Final, set to be played from 26 February to 2 March 2025.
Vidarbha is set to take on Kerala, the maiden finalists, in the Final, which will take place at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur.
Kerala defeated Gujarat in the first semi-final of the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 after securing a slander 2-run lead in the first innings, as the match was drawn.
On the other hand, Vidarbha posted a dominating 80-run victory over Mumbai in the second semi-final to join Kerala in the final.
Vidarbha, last season's runners-up, will leave no stone unturned to lift the cup this time, whereas Kerala will look to stun the opponent in their first-ever Ranji Final.
So, sit back and relax as we bring you all the Vidarbha vs Kerala Final updates at a single place here on Sportz Point. Keep refreshing the page for the all latest updates
LIVE Updates
Mar 2, 2025, 10:40 AM
Most Wickets in Ranji Trophy 2024-25
Player
Wickets
HS Dubey (VIDAR)
69
Auqib Nabi (J + K)
44
SZ Mulani (MUM)
44
DA Jadeja (SAU)
40
Jalaj S Saxena (KER)
40
MV Pithiya (BRODA)
38
SA Desai (GUJ)
37
Nishunk Birla (CHD)
36
MB Murasingh (TPURA)
35
SN Thakur (MUM)
35
T Thyagarajan (HYD)
35
Mar 2, 2025, 10:37 AM
Most Runs In Ranji Trophy 2024-25
Player
Runs
YV Rathod (VIDAR)
960
SS Sharma (MP)
943
TD Agarwal (HYD)
934
KK Nair (VIDAR)
863
DV Malewar (VIDAR)
783
ASK Pandey (CGR)
744
AV Wadkar (VIDAR)
722
A Juyal (UP)
714
SJ Desai (CGR)
693
SP Khajuria (J + K)
679
Mar 2, 2025, 10:24 AM
Harsh Dubey - Player of the tournament
476 runs with the bat and a historic 69 wickets in the season for Harsh Dubey of Vidarbha. He wins the Player of the Tournament Award.
Mar 2, 2025, 10:23 AM
Kerala - The Runners-Up
Mar 2, 2025, 9:04 AM
It has been an emotional ride for Kerala
Emotional moment for Kerala!
Their head coach took the soil off the pitch on which they played their first-ever Ranji Trophy final.
Nalkande gets to fifty and here comes the handshake!
Mar 2, 2025, 8:33 AM
The lead now crosses 400!
It is all over now for sure. The lead now crosses 400!
Nalkande and Yash Thakur have also put up a good show with the bat for the last wicket.
Vidarbha 364/9 and leading by 401 runs
Mar 2, 2025, 7:13 AM
Can Kerala do something miraculous?
Welcome back from the break.
It will be interesting to see how Sachin Baby tries to set his field now. He has not been very proactive and waited for the Vidarbha team to make their mistakes.
But, with the game already out of their grasp, it will be interesting to how they go about their business.
Mar 2, 2025, 6:36 AM
Day 5, Lunch: Vidarbha lead by 351
The game is now nearly over as Vidarabha's lead goes past 350.
In the first session on Day 5, Vidarbha did not look to score that many runs but to play time.
Although they have lost three wickets doing that, they would be pretty happy to see where they are at currently.
Vidarbha 314/7 and leading by 351.
Mar 2, 2025, 5:34 AM
Sarwate dismisses Wadkar! | VID 283/7
Are we going to see anything special here?
The ball kept a tad low and Sarwate was on the money this time.
Wadkar goes after 25 off 108 balls.
Vidarbha leading by 320 runs.
Mar 2, 2025, 5:26 AM
Eden Tom gets Harsh Dubey
Around the stumps and at 138kmph the youngster was able to get the swing back into Harsh Dubey, who missed the line completely.
The ball thudded onto the front pad.
Dubey took DRS with the hope that it would go down the legside. But, it looked out from the first.
Vidarbha 279/6 and leading by 316 runs.
Mar 2, 2025, 4:56 AM
A record-breaking season!
Most hundreds across formats in a domestic season in India! (First-class+List A+T20)
Karun Nair with 9 tons across formats in the 2024-25 season has now equalled the record of VVS Laxman's 1999-00 season.
Nair, on 135, tried to step out against Aditya Sarwate and the ball turned just enough to beat the bat.
Mohammed Azharuddeen did the rest to dismiss him.
Vidarbha 261/5 and leading by 298 runs.
Mar 2, 2025, 4:31 AM
DAY 5!
Welcome to Day 5, where history will be made. Vidarbha are ahead to become champions for the third time while Kerala will try to fight till the last ball for their maiden title.
This is Koushik Biswas, who will bring you all the updates of the final day of Ranji Trophy 2024-25 final.
Stay tuned and enjoy the coverage.
Mar 1, 2025, 11:32 AM
Day 4 Stumps
Slip, short leg and silly point in place now. Sarwate maintaining the legstump line to try and get one to turn viciously.
Four!! Karun steps down the track and lofts one past the bowler for four. A maiden from Jalaj to finish the day.
Vidarbha extend the lead to 286 at the end of day four.
VID 249/4.
Mar 1, 2025, 11:14 AM
Last half hour of play left
Wadkar and Karun defend their way through the last half hour of play. Only four runs scored in the last four overs.
VID 243/4.
Mar 1, 2025, 11:02 AM
VID 239/4
Wadkar almost hands a catch to mid off with a leading edge off his first ball.
Just a single of Jalaj’s over.
Mar 1, 2025, 11:01 AM
Yash Rathod departs
Sarwate gets one to turn in to the left-hander after pitching outside off.
Rathod pinned in front on the backfoot. Umpire says no but Kerala overturns the decision with a review.
Mar 1, 2025, 10:45 AM
Vidarbha’s lead moves past 270
A couple of twos in Chandran’s next. Vidarbha’s lead moves past 270.
The two batters at the crease look like they will bat all day tomorrow as well. Hardly anything that has troubled them so far.
VID 235/3.
Mar 1, 2025, 10:41 AM
VID 229/3
Three singles of Jalaj’s next. Four!! Full outside offstump from Chandran, Karun sweeps it through square leg for a boundary.
Mar 1, 2025, 10:25 AM
VID 219/3
Jalaj returns, concedes just a single off his over. Karun brings out a fine paddle sweep against Sarwate, picks up two runs.
Pushes a full ball to long off to retain strike.
Mar 1, 2025, 10:24 AM
VID 214/3
Rathod skips down the track against Chandran, and whips one to deep cover for a single.
Sarwate gets one to turn past Karun’s front foot defence.
Mar 1, 2025, 10:14 AM
VID 212/3
Four!! Rathod brings out the sweep against Chandran, finds the gap through square leg.
Six runs from the over. Sarwate concedes just a single off his over.
Mar 1, 2025, 9:05 AM
Hundred for Karun Nair
Karun Nair has made a huge statement ahead of the England Test tour, Vidarbha under big trouble in second innings and then Karun stands tall & scored a terrific Hundred in the final.
VID 189/2.
Mar 1, 2025, 9:01 AM
Saxena replaces Chandran
Saxena back into the attack, replacing Chandran. Malewar brings out the sweep to get a single to deep fine.
An excellent diving effort at deep fine prevents a boundary after Karun sweeps a full ball fine.
VID 187/2.
Mar 1, 2025, 8:38 AM
Akshay replaces Sarwate
Akshay Chandran has been introduced in place of Sarwate. Karun, Danish manage to eke out eight runs from the next two overs without much effort.
VID 171/2.
Mar 1, 2025, 8:28 AM
200-run lead for Vidarbha
Three from Jalaj’s next.
Vidarbha’s lead has now swelled to 200.
VID 163/2.
Mar 1, 2025, 8:27 AM
150 partnership comes for VID
Karun comes down the track against Sarwate, lofts it right over mid on for a six.
Comes down the track again, this time lofts it over mid off and clears the fence again.
150 partnership up between the two. Three more added to the tally as Karun turns one fine past the keeper.
Mar 1, 2025, 8:25 AM
Jalaj comes after drinks break
Jalaj from the other end after the drinks break. Quick off-spinner on the stumps, defended off the backfoot.
Turn again, beats the batter and the keeper and runs away for two byes. Outside off, pushed to mid off for a couple.
VID 144/2.
Mar 1, 2025, 8:24 AM
Sarwate into the attack
Maiden over but harmless for the batters.
Mar 1, 2025, 8:15 AM
Vidarbha 139/2 in 46 overs
Eden returns. Full down the leg side, beats the keeper’s dive but he manages to get a finger on it and run a bye.
Malewar picks up a double to deepmidwicket. Four!! Full outside off, driven through mid off for a boundary. Five runs off the Jalaj over.
Mar 1, 2025, 8:02 AM
Vidarbha 126/2 in 44 overs
Eden back into the attack. Four singles from the over. Malewar brings up his fifty with a backfoot push to cover.
165-run lead for Vidarbha.
Mar 1, 2025, 8:00 AM
150-run lead for Vidarbha
Malewar guides a back-of-a-length ball to third man to bring up the 150-run lead for Vidarbha.
Nidheesh gets his second warning for tresspassing. Both of Kerala’s frontline pacers now one more instance away from being barred from bowling.
Jalaj in from the other end. Turn and bounce, clips Malewar’s pads but flies past leg slip for a single.
Four!! Straighter one, takes the outside edge but runs past Sachin at slip to the fence.
Vidarbha 119/2 in 42 overs.
Mar 1, 2025, 6:41 AM
Day 4 Lunch: Vidarbha leading by 127 runs
It started as Kerala's session but ended as Vidarbha's one.
A few chances, one huge missed opportunity and Kerala have not shown the intensity against Nair and Malewar, they had shown against the openers.
Nair is unbeaten on 42 and Malewar is not out on 38.
Vidarbha 90/2 and leading by 127 runs.
Mar 1, 2025, 5:34 AM
Akshay Chandran drops Nair on 31!
Did they just drop the Ranji Trophy?
Akshay Chandran at the first slip drops a sitter.
Eden Tom with some pace and bounce surprised Karun Nair. From the short of good length, the ball bounced a bit higher and caught Nair's gloves.
The ball popped up in the air and Chandran had a very easy catch to grab.
Nair survives and the partnership for the third wicket now moves to 50.
Vidarbha 57/2.
Mar 1, 2025, 5:25 AM
Nair doing what Nair does | Vidarbha 47/2
Karun Nair is doing what he has done throughout his career, saving teams from trouble.
He has thrown the kitchen sink at everything away from his body. Meantime, he has also shown respect to balls bowled around off-stump.
Eden Tom has shown great pace while the ball now has started to keep a tad low as well.
Nair is batting on 30 from 54 balls and Vidarbha are now leading by 84 runs.
Mar 1, 2025, 4:41 AM
Two early wickets for Kerala | VID 17/2
Well, well, well!
As we were saying Kerala will be looking for early wickets and they have got that.
Jalaj Saxena first cleaned up Parth Rekhade and a stunning catch from Azharuddeen off Nidheesh sent Dhruv Shorey back to the pavilion.
But, they now will have to break the partnership of Malewar and Nair, who bailed out Vidarbha in the first inning.
Vidarbha 17/2 and leading by 52 runs.
Mar 1, 2025, 3:47 AM
Day 4!
Hello and Good morning to everyone!
This is Koushik Biswas, who will start the day with early updates for you. Later on, my colleague Payal Debnath will bring you updates on the match.
Vidarbha got the lead last evening and they will start batting. They would hope to carry the momentum. Meantime, for Kerala, this is now a do-or-die situation.
To win their maiden Ranji Ttitle they will now have to bowl Vidarbha out quickly and then chasse down the total in the second inning.
So, we are in for some cracking contest.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:28 AM
Kerala 342 all-out in the first inning
From 324/6 to 342 to all-out.
Kerala would be disappointed not to get the lead in the first inning. Parth Rekhade clean-bowled Eden Tom as the tailender went for a big shot.
Parth Rekhade finished with three wickets in the first inning, and so did Harsh Dubey.
Vidarbha have a 37-run lead in the first inning.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:17 AM
Into the history book!
Feb 28, 2025, 11:14 AM
Harsh Dubey gets his historic 69th wicket | Kerala 338/9
History!
Harsh Dubey gets his historic 69th wicket and becomes the bowler with the most wickets in a single Ranji Trophy season.
MD Nidheesh was trapped in the front of the wicket by the left-arm spinner. The DRS agreed with the on-field umpire's decision.
Kerala 338/9, trailing by 41 runs.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:59 AM
Parth Rekhade gets Jalaj | Kerala 337/8
The break does the trick for Vidarbha.
Captain Akshay Wadkar was injured and he needed treatment. The break helped them to get back in the game.
Jalaj went for a sweep and the ball went through him to hit the timber.
Kerala 337/8 and trailing by 42 runs.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:55 AM
Jalaj and Eden fighting for Kerala | KER 337/7
After the dismissal of Sachin Baby, Jalaj Saxena and Eden Tom have shown resilience against Harsh Dubey and Parth Rekhade.
Although the runs have dried up, they have been tight defensively. A few close calls came but, Jalaj has survived.
Kerala 337/7 and trailing by 42 runs.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:11 AM
Baby gets out on 98 | KER 324/7
What has he done?
On 98, on his 100th first-class match, with an open field, Sachin Baby went down on his knees and tried a big shot to reach his ton.
Rekhade's ball spun a bit, and he only managed a top edge to deep mid-wicket where Karun Nair took an easy catch.
It is a shame that he could not reach the landmark after so much toil.
Kerala 324/7 and trailing by 55 runs.
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, SACHIN BABY?
On 98, Sachin Baby went down on his knees and tried a big shot. He was caught in the deep midwicket by Karun Nair off Rekhade.
Edge and goes to the third man but Jalaj Saxena won't mind.
Kerala crossed 300 and they are trailing by 79 runs.
Feb 28, 2025, 9:02 AM
Darshan Nalkande gets Mohammed Azharuddeen!
This time the DRS could not save him.
Pitched outside off and Mohammed Azharuddeen went for the flick and missed the ball completely.
He went after 34 off 59 balls.
Kerala 278/6
Feb 28, 2025, 8:12 AM
DRS saves Mohammed Azharuddeen | KER 250/5
Another huge decision. Another massive DRS.
DRS saves Mohammed Azharuddeen.
Again it was Parth Rekhade, whose ball came in after pitching and then went with the angle against the right-hander. The on-field umpire gave it out and after a hesitation, Azharuddeen took the DRS.
In the replay, we saw the ball was completely missing the stump. Relief for Kerala.
Kerala 250/5. Baby 62* and Azharuddeen 19*.
Feb 28, 2025, 7:33 AM
Baby survives with the help of DRS | KER 234/5
It is massive for Kerala and their fans.
Sachin Baby survives. Parth Rekhade from around the wicket to the left-hander pitched in the middle and spun back sharp to hit the pad.
It was given out on the field. Sachin took the DRS right away.
In the replay, we saw a faint edge from the bat onto the pad. It was very close. Kerala captain survived.
Kerala 234/5.
Feb 28, 2025, 7:12 AM
Dubey struck right before the lunch | KER 219/5
Harsh Dubey did the magic with the ball again.
The ball came back sharp from offside and hit the front pad of Salman Nizar.
Anil Chaudhary gave it out and Nizar did not waste any time to take the DRS.
The review revealed that it was hitting the stumps. Kerala lost their fifth wicket and also the DRS.
Mohammed Azharuddeen joins Baby post-lunch.
Feb 28, 2025, 6:45 AM
Sachin Baby scores a beautiful fifty
The Kerala captain leads from the front as he reaches his fifty!
At lunch on Day 3, Kerala 219/5. Sachin Baby is unbeaten on 52 from 109 balls.
They are trailing by 160 runs.
Image | PTI
Feb 28, 2025, 6:04 AM
Kerala cross 200!
Salman Nizar has been proactive since coming to the crease. Sachin Baby meantime has been able to rotate the strike as well.
Kerala now cross 200 and they trail by 179 runs in the first inning.
Baby is batting on 39 while Nizar is unbeaten on 15.
Feb 28, 2025, 5:35 AM
Dubey gets his 67th wicket | KER 170/4
Harsh Dubey does the job for Vidarbha again.
He flights it high and the ball dipped in front of Sarvate. It bounced high enough to hit the splice of the bat and it pooped in the air for an easy catch to Malewar.
Dubey needs two more to break the record for most wickets in a single Ranji Trophy season.
Sarvate goes for 79.
Salman Nizar comes to the crease for Kerala.
Kerala 170/4.
Feb 28, 2025, 5:12 AM
HUGE MISS!
Danish Malewar drops Sarvate on 77. Brilliant over from Harsh Dubey, who has been able to get the edge twice in the over. However, in the last ball of the over, Malewar was not able to grab the edge.
Kerala 165/3
Feb 28, 2025, 4:58 AM
First hour goes to Kerala | KER 157/3
The game started at 9.20 in the morning and since then it has been all Kerala. They have been excellent with the bat with two of the most senior players out there for them.
Aditya Sarvate continued his great touch from last night while Sachin Baby, who is playing his 100th first-class concentrated well as well.
They have now put up a fifty stand between them and Kerala have not lost any wicket in the first hour of Day 3.
Feb 28, 2025, 3:13 AM
Welcome to Day 3
Hello everyone. Good morning. This is Koushik Biswas with the early updates of the Day 3 of Ranji Trophy final between Vidarbha and Kerala.
As we all know Day 3 is the moving day of any five-day game. Kerala have fought back hard and he onus will be on them to make things happen.
As of now, it looks like the game might be decided in the first inning itself.
Let's see what happens.
Feb 27, 2025, 11:33 AM
Day 2 Stumps
Akshay Karnewar comes in for his first over of the game.
Sachin cuts a short ball through point for a single on the last ball.
Feb 27, 2025, 11:32 AM
Kerala 130/3 in 38 overs
Four!! A late, late cut from Sarwate against Rekhade, beats the slip fielder and short third and gets to the boundary.
Four!! Full outside off, Sarwate opens his wrist and guides it past gully to the fence for four.
Nachiket Bhute replaces Thakur. Sachin flicks a back-of-length ball to deep fine for a single, legbyes given.
Feb 27, 2025, 11:25 AM
Kerala 117/3 in 34 overs
Outside edge and four!! Sachin gets the rub of the green against Harsh Dubey, the ball goes between keeper and slip and runs away. Seven from the over.
Short ball from Thakur, Sarwate puts his hands up and defends. Cops a hit on the gloves.
Feb 27, 2025, 10:48 AM
Kerala brings up its 100
Harsh continues. Two singles from the over. Thakur with his fifth over, full on leg stump, appeals for lbw but there was bat involved. A single brings up Sarwate’s fifty!
Kerala also brings up its 100 after another Sarwate single to deep square.
Feb 27, 2025, 10:23 AM
Kerala 89/2 in 26 overs
Nalkande continues. Four!! Overpitched outside off, driven through extra cover for a boundary.
Four!! Back of a length outside off, this time he rocks back and punches it through point for another four. Textbook batting from Sarwate.
Feb 27, 2025, 9:48 AM
Kerala 73/2 in 19 overs.
Good running between the wickets added three runs to the scorecard for Kerala in the 19th over.
Sarvate batting steadily on 36* off 57.
Feb 27, 2025, 9:48 AM
50-run partnership between Imran and Sarwate
Sarwate rock solid in defence, prods fully forward to smother the turn. Maiden over.
Rekhade from the other end. Imran pushes one to deep point for a couple.
A forward press and another run to point for the southpaw. Four!! Slightly down leg, Sarwate helps it down leg with a sweep through fine leg.
The 21-year-old batter reaches the 150-run mark, currently bating on 152* off 273.
Vidarbha 280/4 in 90 overs.
Feb 27, 2025, 4:16 AM
Welcome to Day 2!
Feb 26, 2025, 11:46 AM
Day 1 Stumps
Big appeals for lbw! Nidheesh very interested but Sachin doesn’t look convinced.
Good call from the captain. Flicks the next one to deep fine for a single. Four!! Back of a length, Danish punches through cover for a boundary.
Jalaj into the attack. Yash Thakur whips one to midwicket for a couple. A single off the last ball of the day.
Vidarbha finishes on 254/4 in 86 overs.
Feb 26, 2025, 11:29 AM
12 mins of play left today
Yash Thakur comes in at 6. Nidheesh back into the attack.
Four byes to start Eden’s over. Full ball on the stumps, Danish drives through the legside for a double.
Vidarbha 246/4 in 84 overs.
Feb 26, 2025, 11:22 AM
Karun Nair run out
Kerala opts against taking the new ball. Two singles from the over. Eden into the attack.
WICKET!! Kerala finally have the breakthrough! A direct hit from Rohan Kunnummal sends Karun back to the dugout.
The misfield at slip opened up an opportunity for a run but Danish sends his experienced partner back.
Vidarbha 239/4 in 82 overs.
Feb 26, 2025, 11:09 AM
Vidarbha 237/3 in 80 overs
Sarwate into the attack. Two runs from the over. Chandran continues. Four!! Full outside off, Karun brings out the sweep shot to bring a boundary.
Four!! Slightly shorter, plays a late cut through third man for a boundary.
Feb 26, 2025, 11:06 AM
Vidarbha 223/3 in 76 overs
The mid off fielder gets a hand to it but Karun’s drive races to the fence for four.
An overthrow gives Vidarbha a single off Akshay’s over.
Feb 26, 2025, 10:50 AM
Vidarbha 218/3 in 74 overs
Basil continues. Just a single from the over. Chandran with his fourth over. Just a single from his over.
Feb 26, 2025, 10:38 AM
Vidarbha 216/3 in 72 overs
Basil NP into the attack. Length ball on middle stump, flicked wide of mid-on for a comfortable two.
Chandran continues. Three singles from the over.
Feb 26, 2025, 10:36 AM
Huge appeal for lbw
Huge appeal for lbw from Eden. Umpire says no and Sachin Baby opts not to take the review. Was going down leg.
Chandran continues. Four!! Danish whips one past short midwicket and finds the boundary.
Vidarbha 210/3 in 70 overs.
Feb 26, 2025, 10:09 AM
Vidarbha 198/3 in 66 overs
Eden returns to the attack. Karun brings out a controlled pull to deep midwicket for a single. Eden manages to get one to rap the pad on the way to deep third, but the ball was pitching down leg comfortably.
Jalaj continues. Danish flicks one to deep square for a single. Four!! A touch short, Karun rocks onto his back foot and punches one through point for a boundary.
Vidarbha started the second session in the same manner as they ended the first session.
Steady and compact batting from the host side.
Feb 26, 2025, 8:05 AM
Hundred-run partnership comes up!
Facing 190 deliveries, Danish Malewar (70* off 129) and Karun Nair (35* off 82) have added 100 runs in partnership to the scorecard.
The two batters have steadied the ship for Vidarbha!
Vidarbha 126/3 in 44.5 overs.
Feb 26, 2025, 7:58 AM
Vidarbha 123/3 in 43 overs.
Karun Nair and Danish Malewar have taken Vidarbha back in the business.
Suffering early blows, the Vidarbha team are now looking to score a huge total.
Feb 26, 2025, 7:56 AM
Danish with a fighting fifty
Danish Malewar made a huge half-century against the fierece Kerala bowlers. He reached 51 in 104 deliveries.
Currently, the Vidarbha batter is batting on 68* off 110 balls.
Feb 26, 2025, 7:31 AM
Vidarbha 95/3 in 36 overs
Danish Malewar is currently batting on 45* off 101, closing in on his personal half-century.
Feb 26, 2025, 7:29 AM
Second session begins
Feb 26, 2025, 6:39 AM
Ranji Trophy Final | First session ends
Early blows from Kerala's bowling attack picked up three Vidarbha wickets, whereas Karun Nair and Danish Malewar are putting up a resistance. They combined for a 50-run partnership, leading Vidarbha to a steady inning.
Vidarbha are now eyeing to get the momentum back, as Karun Nair and Danish Malewar are looking for a steady partnership.
Feb 26, 2025, 5:16 AM
Vidarbha 28/3 in 15 overs
Danish Malewar 6* (26) and Karun Nair 4* (7) are batting for Vidarbha.
15 overs are up as Vidarbha is at 28/3.
Feb 26, 2025, 5:06 AM
Eden dismisses Dhruv Shorey!
Eden delivered a beautiful good-length ball as Shorey nicked it to the edge, as Azharuddeen takes a briliant catch.
Shorey bows out on 16 (35).
Karun Nair is out at 5.
Vidarbha 24/3 in 13 overs.
Feb 26, 2025, 4:54 AM
Vidrabha 22/2 in 10 overs.
Dhruv Shorery 14* (24) and Danish Malewar 6* (14) are batting for Vidarbha.
Vidarbha 22/2 in 10 overs.
Feb 26, 2025, 4:47 AM
Kerala lose a review
There was a strong lbw appeal from Nidheesh as he seemed to pick up Shorey, but the DRS sticks to the not out decision by the umpire.
Vidarbha 22/2 in 8.2 overs.
Feb 26, 2025, 4:40 AM
Vidarbha 11/2 in 7 overs
Four out of four maidens from Nidheesh, while he picked up both wickets of Vidarbha.
Vidarbha 11/2 in 7 overs.
Feb 26, 2025, 4:38 AM
Nalkande gone!
Vidarbha lose their second wicket!
Nidheesh with a short ball delivery as Nalkande hit it high, and Basil takes an easy catch deep in the mid-wicket.
Nalkande (1 off 21) goes back to the pavilion as Danish Malewar is at 4.
Vidarbha 11/2 in 6.3 overs.
(Image Credit | Sportstar)
Feb 26, 2025, 4:29 AM
Nidheesh, three out of three!
Nidheesh has put up three maidens out of the three overs he has bowled so far.
Brilliant from the Kerala pacer.
Vidarbha 7/1 in 5 overs.
Feb 26, 2025, 4:25 AM
Vidarbha 7/1 in 4 overs.
Seeven runs from Eden in his second over, as Vidarbha are on 7/1 in 4 overs.
Dhruv Shorey 5* (11) and Nalkande 1* (12) are batting.
Feb 26, 2025, 4:22 AM
Boundary from Dhruv
Dhruv Shorey opens Vidarbha's account with a boundary in the first ball of the fourth over, following three maidens.
Vidarbha 5/1 in 3.1 overs.
Feb 26, 2025, 4:15 AM
Maiden from Eden
Kerala put up two consecutive maidens in the first two overs of the day.
Eden Apple Tom delivers another maiden in the second over after Nidheesh in the first.
Vidarbha 0/1 in 2 overs.
Feb 26, 2025, 4:11 AM
Vidarbha 0/1 in 1 over.
Great start from Kerala and Nidheesh, Vidarbha lose Rekhade early.
Feb 26, 2025, 4:07 AM
Rekhade is gone!
Kerala brings a huge blow on Vidarbha in the second ball of Day 1, as Parth Rekhade goes back to the pavilion on duck (0 off 2). Nidheesh picks up the wicket with an LBW and a successful DRS review!
Darshan Nalkande has come up to bat at third.
Feb 26, 2025, 4:05 AM
Playing Eleven | Kerala
Sachin Baby (C), Rohan Kunnummal, Akshay Chandran, Salman Nizar, Mohammed Azharuddeen, Edhen Apple Tom, Jalaj Saxena, Aditya Sarwate, Ahammed Imran, Nidheesh MD, Basil NP.
Harsh Dubey has already taken 66 wickets in 2024-25 season. Image | PTI
Ranji Trophy, the Premier Division Tournament in Indian domestic cricket has given future stars of Indian cricket over the years. Domestic players prove themselves in the Ranji Trophy as best in the country, before announcing themselves on the world stage.
Today, we will discuss the players who have taken the most wickets in a Ranji Trophy season to cement their place in the history of Indian domestic cricket. Ashutosh Aman of Bihar has the record for most wickets taken in a single Ranji season currently.
Most Wickets in a Ranji Trophy Season
10. Sai Kishore | 53 wickets
Image | PTI
Tamil Nadu left-arm spinner Sai Kishore took 53 wickets in a single season in 2023-24 and listed himself in the record books. He became the first Tamil Nadu bowler to take more than fifty wickets in a Ranji Season.
Sai Kishore took a total of 53 wickets in 9 matches at an average of 18.52 including 3 five-wicket hauls. Despite his heroics with the ball, Tamil Nadu fell short against Mumbai in the semi-finals that season.
Playing for Meghalaya, left-arm spinner Gurinder Singh took 53 wickets in just 8 matches to finish as the second-highest wicket-taker of the 2018/19 Ranji Trophy season. Gurinder created the record in the plate group of the tournament.
Gurinder's splendid season with the ball included 5 five-wicket hauls and one 10-wicket haul in a match as well. The spin-bowling all-rounder started his career with Tripura and played for Punjab, Meghalaya and Chandigarh as well.
8. Aditya Sarwate | 55 wickets
Image | PTI
Aditya Sarwate, the left-arm spinner from Vidarbha listed himself among the bowlers with the most wickets in a single season in 2018/19 when he picked up 55 wickets in 11 matches.
Sarwate at that time was the only Vidarbha bowler to pick up more than 50 wickets in a single Ranji Trophy season. He picked up 11 wickets in the 2018/19 Ranji Trophy final as Vidarbha defeated Saurashtra to become the sixth team in history to defend a Ranji Trophy title.
Another left-arm in the list, Sanjay Yadav took 55 wickets in the 2019/20 season playing for Meghalaya in the plate group. Though Meghalaya failed to reach the knock-out stage of the tournament, Sanjay made a name for himself with five 5-wicket hauls and 3 ten-wicket hauls in the season.
6. Shahbaz Nadeem | 56 wickets
Image | Sunny Shinde.
Shahbaz Nadeem is one of the renowned names in Indian domestic cricket's history with 542 first-class wickets to his name. Playing for his state Jharkhand, Nadeem picked up 56 wickets in 10 games in the 2016/17 season at an average of 25.60.
The left-arm spinner's incredible season with the ball included four 5-wicket hauls and 2 ten-wicket hauls in a match. Despite his incredible season, Jharkhand could not reach the final as Jasprit Bumrah's 6-wicket haul helped Gujarat defeat them in the semis.
Nadeem himself also had taken a five-wicket haul in the semi-final.
Saurashtra's Dharmendrasinh Jadeja outshined everyone with a record-breaking 59 wickets in the 2018-19 Ranji trophy season. He then was the highest wicket-taker for Saurashtra in a single season of Ranji Trophy, which was later broken by Jaydev Unadkat.
In 11 games that season Jadeja averaged 27.16 and took five 5-wicket hauls including one 10-wicket haul in a match. Despite Jadeja's six-wicket haul, Saurashtra lost the final at the hands of Vidarbha.
4. Kanwaljit Singh | 59 wickets
Hyderabad's off-spinner Kanwaljit Singh had set the record for most wickets in a Ranji Trophy season in 1999/00 season which lasted till 2018-19 when Ashutosh Aman of Bihar broke that record.
Kanwaljit took 59 wickets in 11 matches to set the record. He averaged 24.06 with the ball and had taken 4 five-wicket hauls alongside two 10-wicket hauls. The off-spinner retired after taking 369 first-class wickets and was one of the unluckiest off-spinners to not have played for India during his era.
3. Harsh Dubey | 66*
Image | PTI
Harsh Dubey, the Vidarbha all-rounder has already listed himself among the greats of Indian domestic cricket only in his third season. The left-arm spinner has already taken 66 wickets in the 2024-25 season and will have a chance to break the overall record in the ongoing final between Kerala and Vidarbha.
In 10 matches till now Dubey has taken 66 wickets at an average of 16.81. His 7 five-wicket haul in his season is also the joint-highest in Elite group history. Dubey also has taken two 10-wicket hauls this season.
2. Jaydev Unadkat | 67
Image | Jaydev Bhatnagar.
Jaydev Unadkat in the 2019-20 season broke multiple records as he led Saurasthra to their maiden Ranji Trophy title. The left-arm seamer became the first and still only pacer to take more than 60 wickets in a Ranji Trophy season.
Not only that in that record breaking season he became the bowler to take most wickets in a Ranji season in elite groups. Undakat took 67 wickets in 11 games at an average of 13.23. His 7 five-wicket hauls is still a record in elite group. He also took 3 ten-wicket hauls that season.
1. Ashutosh Aman | 68 wickets
Image | PTI
Bihar's Ashutosh Aman still holds the record for most wickets in a single Ranji Trophy season, which he achieved in 2018/19 season.
The left-arm spinner took 68 wickets in just 8 plate group games at an incredible average of 6.48 runs per wicket. Aman took 9 five-wicket hauls that season, which is also a Ranji Trophy record. His five 10-wicket haul is also a record in Indian domestic cricket.
"There is nothing as sweet as comeback:" Sayan Ghosh wants to make Ranji Trophy return after white-ball success in 2024-25 season
Sayan Ghosh emerged as the highest wicket-taker for Bengal in both Syed Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25. The Bengal pacer now looking for his Ranji Trophy return.
Chakdaha, a very tiny town in the Nadia district of West Bengal, is known to the cricketing world for a very special player. It is Jhulan Goswami, who made Chakdaha famous with fiery spells all around the globe, wearing the Blue jersey of India.
When Jhulan was breaking records in women's cricket, another speedster from Chakdaha dreamt of breaking stumps and records too. Sayan Ghosh, known as Bengal's Malinga, saw ups and downs from the start of his cricketing career. But, like his swinging yorkers, Sayan never swayed away from his targets.
Ghosh last played a Ranji Trophy game way back in 2017. In 6 first-class games, he has two five-wicket hauls. Still, he was never called back to the Ranji Trophy, team until this season. The reason is his incredible comeback into the white ball side for Bengal.
Sayan Ghosh's incredible season in white-ball format
Sayan Ghosh celebrating a wicket in SMAT pre-quarters vs Chandigarh. Image | PTI
Sayan was always called the "White Ball" specialist due to his ability to hit yorkers and variations. However, with bowlers like Mukesh Kumar, Ishan Porel and Akash Deep doing well, he found himself out of the side in the last few seasons. But, his will to keep doing well at the club level, helped him make another comeback to the Bengal side.
This season, Sayan Ghosh was the highest wicket-taker for Bengal in both Syed Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Hazare Trophy tournaments. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament, he returned with 13 wickets from 7 games at an outstanding economy rate of 6.77.
Bengal wins the thriller against Chandigarh and marches forward to the semi finals of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024.
Former KKR bowler Sayan Ghosh was the star of the show as he picked up 4 wickets and defended 11 runs of the final over that helped Bengal come out on top. pic.twitter.com/ZdOl4soLSt
In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the stats were even better as he capped off the season with 15 wickets from 7 games which included a five-wicket haul against Kerala. Post, his outstanding white-ball return, Sayan was included in the Ranji Trophy squad for the final two games of the season.
After his remarkable resurgence in domestic cricket, Sportz Point sat with the 32-year-old pacer to sense his thoughts.
Talking about his return to the Bengal team, Sayan started the conversation by saying, "It is always a pleasure to represent Bengal. And there is nothing as sweet as a comeback when you are down and about to lose. Performing well for the team feels great."
Ex-KKR pacer Sayan Ghosh in action for @Mohun_Bagan
Sayan feels, along with doing well for Mohun Bagan in the club format, the Bengal Pro T20 League has helped him be in the best form possible.
"I must say, performance in BPL gave me confidence," Sayan told Sportz Point.
"I didn’t take too much pressure for the whole season because I knew if I did well, I would play. I had belief in myself. Captain Sudip (Gharami), coaches Laxmi (Ratan Shukla) da and Maco (Shib Shankar Paul) da gave confidence. So, I didn’t take a lot of pressure."
Sayan Ghosh during a club match for Mohun Bagan. Image | Sportz Point
A few seasons back, Sayan had a longer run-up which caused him a few injuries. But, post the 2022 season, he shortened his run-up to avoid such injuries which helped him gain more control. Keeping this in mind, Sportz Point wanted to know if he had done anything special to prepare for this grand comeback.
However, as per Sayan, he just kept doing the basic things over and over to get better at everything. "I do lots of fitness work and spot bowling. It helps me a lot," Sayan added while answering the question.
Regardless of how, for a sportsperson, a comeback is as much a mental challenge as it is a physical battle. Back in 2022, in an exclusive interview with Sportz Point, Sayan shared that "rejections do not deject him."
But, saying that and actually having that mental strength are two different things altogether. For Sayan, it was all about being present and believing in God.
"There comes a time in every sportsman's life when they stop worrying about the outcome, trust in God, and fully immerse themselves in the process. So, that was my thinking just to be in the present and wait for my turn," Sayan expressed.
During tough periods like these, players always get some people clapping and cheering for them. For Sayan, along with his family, there were a few people, who guided and supported him throughout the process.
"Maco da (Shib Shankar Paul) and Kanchan (Maity) da gave me chances in BPL And Laxmi (Ratan Shukla) da helped me and gave me a chance to come back in Bengal Cricket."
"I must say about Akash da, one of my colleagues in my office, who is a very good bowler himself. He supported me in every aspect of my life. I think without his support, I could not have made the come back like that," Sayan stated.
Age? Not a problem
Sayan Ghosh before a club match for Mohun Bagan. Image | Sportz Point
But, in this process of being in and out of the team, Sayan has reached an age where most cricketers start to reach the end of their careers. But, not all.
Cricketers like Scott Boland have proved that, if you can keep putting in the hard work, even as a fast bowler you can debut and play at the highest level even after 30. Sayan believes that too.
"Hope keeps us alive. I don’t think a lot about the outcome. But, when you have a goal to achieve something big in your professional career, you always stay motivated," the 32-year-old shared.
"There is nothing as sweet as a comeback, when you are down and about to lose. If you are thinking about a comeback, you have to keep pushing the boundaries. I have small targets to do well in club cricket and give Mohunbagan trophies. I want to make a strong impact in Bengal Cricket in every format."
Sayan Ghosh bowling in a club match. Image | Sportz Point
Now, after a great white-ball return, Sayan Ghosh wants to don the whites for Bengal again. Amidst all the success around white-ball cricket, his love for red-ball cricket remained the same; like a 10-year-old with a new ball in hand.
"We are playing well in all formats, especially in the Ranji trophy. It was unfortunate for us not to qualify despite playing well in the group stages. The Bihar match and the Kerala match were gone because of the rain and that was the reason (we could not qualify).
"The last time I played a Ranji Trophy game was in 2017. I have played 6 matches and got two five-wicket hauls. However, because of certain team combinations, I haven't played red-ball cricket in a long time now.
"My belief is always there to make a strong comeback in red ball cricket."
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