Vidarbha has once again cemented its position as a giant in Indian domestic cricket, capturing the Ranji Trophy. In the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 final, Vidarbha defeated Kerala to claim the championship.
Sports News: Vidarbha has once again dominated the Ranji Trophy, establishing itself as a powerhouse in Indian domestic cricket. In the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 final, Vidarbha emerged victorious over Kerala. The match, played at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur, ended in a draw, but Vidarbha was declared the winner due to their first-innings lead.
This victory marks Vidarbha's third Ranji Trophy triumph in seven years. Conversely, Kerala's hopes of a historic win were dashed; despite reaching the final for the first time, they were unable to secure the title.
Vidarbha Overcomes Kerala's Strong Challenge
In the final, Kerala won the toss and opted to bowl first. Vidarbha, batting first, scored 379 runs in 123.1 overs. Danish Malewar scored a magnificent century (153 runs), while Karun Nair (86 runs) was unfortunately run out. Kerala put up a b fight, reaching 342 runs thanks to impressive innings from captain Sachin Baby (98 runs) and Aditya Sarvate (79 runs). Vidarbha's bowlers Harsh Dubey, Darshan Nalkande, and Parth Rekhade each claimed three wickets.
Vidarbha's Dominant Second Innings
After taking a 37-run lead in the first innings, Vidarbha further strengthened their position in the second innings. Driven by Karun Nair (135 runs), Danish Malewar (73 runs), and Darshan Nalkande's unbeaten 51 runs, Vidarbha posted a score of 375/9. This victory saw several heroes emerge for Vidarbha. Danish Malewar was named 'Player of the Match' for his outstanding performance, while Harsh Dubey was awarded 'Player of the Series'. Harsh Dubey also became the highest wicket-taker in a single Ranji Trophy season, significantly bolstering Vidarbha's bowling attack.
Kerala's Dream Shattered
This is Vidarbha's third Ranji Trophy victory (2017-18, 2018-19, and 2024-25), solidifying their emergence as a dominant force in Indian domestic cricket. This win proves Vidarbha's standing among the top teams in domestic cricket. Kerala created history by reaching the Ranji final for the first time, but ultimately fell short of the title. However, their journey was inspiring, and this performance bodes well for their future endeavors.
