Ranji Trophy Records: Most wickets in a single Ranji Trophy season

Ranji Trophy Records: Most wickets in a single Ranji Trophy season (Source – VCA)

India’s premier domestic red-ball competition, the Ranji Trophy, has always been a proving platform for both batters and bowlers. Over the years, the tournament has seen legendary bowling performances, with spinners traditionally being more successful. However, with the BCCI’s emphasis on green wickets, fast bowlers are also making a strong impact.

In the ongoing 2024-25 season, Haryana’s Anshul Kamboj created history by claiming all 10 wickets in an innings against Kerala, becoming only the third bowler in Ranji Trophy history to achieve this feat. His incredible spell of 10/49 came at the Chaudhry Bansi Lal Cricket Stadium in Lahli. Meanwhile, Vidarbha’s left-arm spinner, Harsh Dubey, recently registered his name in the record books by becoming the highest wicket-taker in a single Ranji Trophy season.

Here are the five cricketers with the most wickets in a single Ranji Trophy season:

5. Dodda Ganesh (62 wickets in 1998-99 season):

Former Karnataka cricketer Dodda Ganesh had a remarkable 1998-99 Ranji Trophy season as a bowler. The medium pacer bagged 62 wickets in 21 innings across 11 matches at an average of 26, playing a crucial role in Karnataka’s title win. His efforts helped Karnataka clinch the trophy, defeating Madhya Pradesh in the final.

Ganesh’s stunning performances in domestic cricket earned him a brief India call-up in 1997, where he played four Tests and one ODI. Across his first-class career, he took 365 wickets in 104 matches with the best figures of 7/36. He is joint fifth alongside Hyderabad’s Kanwaljit Singh, who achieved the same wicket tally in the following Ranji season.

4. Bishan Singh Bedi (64 wickets in 1974-75 season):

Late Bishan Singh Bedi, one of India’s finest left-arm spinners, delivered a historic performance in the 1974-75 Ranji Trophy season, taking a record 64 wickets at an average of 8.53. His exceptional bowling guided Delhi to the semi-finals, where they were eventually knocked out by Karnataka.

Known for his brilliance in flighting and turning the ball, Bedi was a true artist with the ball. Throughout his career, he played 67 Tests for India, picking 266 wickets at an economy of 2.14. He also led India in 22 Test matches. In first-class cricket, he ended with 1,560 wickets in 370 matches, the highest by any Indian bowler.

3. Jaydev Unadkat (67 wickets in 2019-20 season):

Left-arm seamer Jaydev Unadkat had a dream run in the 2019-20 Ranji Trophy season, playing an important role in Saurashtra’s maiden title win. The 33-year-old was the tournament’s highest wicket-taker, bagging 67 wickets in just 10 matches at an average of 13.23. He also registered seven five-wicket hauls and three four-wicket hauls.

Unadkat led Saurashtra from the front, not just as a bowler but also as a captain, guiding them to victory in the final against Bengal. Across his first-class career, he has taken 447 wickets in 127 matches. For India, he has featured in four Tests, eight ODIs, and 10 T20Is. In the 2024-25 season, the Porbandar-born finished with 22 wickets in eight games, with the best figures of 6/61 against Tamil Nadu.

2. Ashutosh Aman (68 wickets in 2018-19 season):

Bihar’s Ashutosh Aman finds himself second on this list. The left-arm spinner had a memorable run in the 2018-19 Ranji Trophy season, finishing as the highest wicket-taker with 68 wickets in just eight matches. The 38-year-old had an average of 6.48 and an economy of 1.90. His tally included nine five-wicket hauls and five ten-wicket match hauls.

Despite his exceptional performances, Bihar failed to qualify for the knockout stage. Aman’s record remained unbeaten until Harsh Dubey surpassed it in the 2024-25 season. In his first-class career so far, he has claimed 171 wickets in 34 matches. However, he never got a chance to represent India, despite his heroics in domestic cricket.

1. Harsh Dubey (69 wickets in the 2024-25 season):

Vidarbha’s left-arm spinner, Harsh Dubey, became the latest addition to this elite list by becoming the highest wicket-taker in a single edition of the Ranji Trophy. The 22-year-old reached this milestone on Day 3 of the 2024-25 final against Kerala in Nagpur, trapping MD Nidheesh lbw for his 69th wicket of the season. He surpassed Ashutosh Aman’s 2018-19 record of 68 wickets.

Dubey has been in fine form, claiming 69 wickets in 21 innings at an economy of 2.66 and an average of 16.98, including five five-wicket hauls. He had a huge role to play in Vidarbha’s semi-final win over Mumbai. In just 17 first-class matches, he has 94 wickets. Dubey, in Kerala’s first innings of the summit clash, ended with three wickets. However, he has a chance to increase his wicket tally when Kerala comes to bat in their second innings.

Disclaimer: The information presented in this news article is based on the author’s insights, analysis, and perspective. Readers are encouraged to evaluate the details thoughtfully and draw their own conclusions.

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