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Nagpur: Vidarbha secured their third Ranji Trophy title on Sunday, March 2, after defeating Kerala in the final match at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium. The match was decided on first-innings lead, as Vidarbha posted 379 runs and then bowled out Kerala for 342, gaining a 37-run advantage that proved decisive.
The Akshay Wadkar-led side ended a six-year wait for the prestigious trophy, adding to their back-to-back wins in 2017-18 and 2018-19.
Vidarbha’s Road to the Title
Vidarbha dominated the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season, emerging as the best team across all four groups with an impressive 40 points from six wins in seven league matches.
Knockout Performances:
Quarterfinal: Defeated Tamil Nadu by 198 runs.
Semifinal: Knocked out defending champions Mumbai by 80 runs.
Final: Secured first-innings lead against Kerala (379 vs 342).
Vidarbha won nine out of ten matches this season, showcasing their sheer dominance in India’s premier domestic cricket competition.
Kerala’s First-Ever Ranji Final Ends in Heartbreak
This was Kerala’s first-ever Ranji Trophy final, and despite their hard-fought journey, they fell short of crossing the last hurdle.
Kerala’s campaign saw them edge past Jammu & Kashmir (quarterfinal) and Gujarat (semifinal) based on first-innings leads, but they couldn’t replicate the same in the final against a clinical Vidarbha side.
???? Most Successful Teams in Ranji Trophy History
| Team | Titles | Last Win |
|---|---|---|
| Mumbai/Bombay | 42 | 2024 |
| Karnataka/Mysore | 8 | 2015 |
| Delhi | 7 | 2008 |
| Madhya Pradesh/Holkar | 5 | 2022 |
| Baroda | 5 | 2001 |
| Saurashtra/Nawanagar | 4 | 2023 |
| Vidarbha | 3 | 2025 |
| Bengal | 2 | 1990 |
| Tamil Nadu/Madras | 2 | 1988 |
| Rajasthan/Rajputana | 2 | 2012 |
| Hyderabad | 2 | 1987 |
| Maharashtra | 2 | 1941 |
| Railways | 2 | 2005 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 1 | 2006 |
| Punjab | 1 | 1993 |
| Haryana | 1 | 1991 |
| Gujarat | 1 | 2017 |
Vidarbha's Rise in Indian Domestic Cricket
Vidarbha’s Ranji Trophy victory cements their position as one of the strongest teams in Indian domestic cricket.
Finalists in 2023 (Runners-up to Mumbai)
Winners in 2017-18, 2018-19, and now 2024-25
Runner-up in the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy this season
With Akshay Wadkar’s leadership and head coach Usman Ghani’s tactical acumen, Vidarbha has built a resilient and disciplined squad that continues to challenge the traditional powerhouses of Indian cricket.
This third Ranji Trophy triumph is a testament to Vidarbha’s dominance, consistency, and hunger for success!
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