Vidarbha secured their third Ranji Trophy title in emphatic fashion, overcoming last season’s heartbreak with a commanding performance against Kerala in the final. The victory, witnessed by 3,000 home fans at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur, saw captain Akshay Wadkar lifting the prestigious trophy after his team displayed remarkable resilience throughout the match.
𝐂.𝐇.𝐀.𝐌.𝐏.𝐈.𝐎.𝐍.𝐒! 🏆
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) March 2, 2025
Say hello 👋 to the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy winners 👉 Vidarbha 🙌🙌@IDFCFIRSTBank | #RanjiTrophy pic.twitter.com/lLEyhf6omv
The final day began with Kerala hoping for a dramatic turnaround. When Nair, who had resumed on 132, managed to add just three more runs before getting dismissed, and Harsh Dubey was trapped LBW by Eden Apple Tom, a twist seemed possible. Their hopes grew further when Wadkar fell to a low delivery, dismissed by Aditya Sarwate, who celebrated with immense passion. Sarwate, having shared many crucial moments with Wadkar, had already picked up three wickets and was leading Kerala’s fightback.
ALSO READ
However, Vidarbha remained composed, ensuring that the game slipped further out of Kerala’s reach. Akshay Karnewar, who had not played a major role with the ball, made a crucial contribution with the bat, scoring 30 valuable runs while consuming significant time. His steady resistance took crucial minutes out of the game. By the time Darshan Nalkande smashed a half-century, Kerala’s chances had all but disappeared. As the clock struck 2:20 PM, with tea approaching, the stumps were drawn, officially sealing Vidarbha’s championship triumph.
Vidarbha’s campaign had been relentless from the start. They entered the semi-finals with the joint-most wins, alongside Mumbai, and their dominance continued in the knockout stage. The title win was the result of a well-rounded team effort, featuring standout performances across the squad. Nair scored his fourth century of the season, while 21-year-old Malewar played a crucial role with a vital half-century.
Their success wasn’t just about individual brilliance; it was a collective effort that defined their season. Yash Rathod finished as the leading run-scorer of the tournament, while Harsh Dubey set a new record for the most wickets in a single Ranji Trophy season. Parth Rekhade’s game-changing spell in the semi-final played a crucial role in knocking out Mumbai.
Dhruv Shorey adapted seamlessly to his new team, strengthening Vidarbha’s middle order, while captain Wadkar led from the front, guiding his team past last year’s heartbreak to finally reclaim the title.
Get every cricket update! Follow us on
