OTD: Vidarbha Won Their Third Ranji Trophy Title in Historic Triumph

Vidarbha suffered a heartbreak in the 2023-24 edition of the Ranji Trophy as they suffered a defeat in the final. However, in the subsequent season, they went the distance in India’s premier domestic red-ball competition. This was the third time they clinched the Ranji Trophy title.

Akshay Wadkar and Co. were placed in Group B alongside Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Hyderabad, Rajasthan, Andhra, Uttarakhand, and Puducherry. Vidarbha won six out of their seven group games, while one ended in a draw.

In the knockout stage, they faced Tamil Nadu in the quarterfinals. This match was played at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground in Nagpur. The home side won the match by 198 runs, with Karun Nair winning the Player of the Match award.

In the semi-final, Vidarbha faced an uphill task as they locked horns with Mumbai, the most successful team in the tournament’s history. In a hard-fought encounter in Nagpur, Vidarbha emerged victorious by 80 runs to make it to back-to-back finals of the Ranji Trophy. Yash Rathod was the Player of the Match in this game.

Coming to the final, Vidarbha and Kerala square off in what was expected to be a thrill-a-minute ride. Vidarbha had home advantage as this game was also played in Nagpur. The home side scored 379 runs in the first innings after Kerala captain Sachin Baby won the toss and opted to bowl first. 

Danish Malewar played a fantastic knock as he scored 153 off 285 balls, hitting 15 fours and three sixes. On the other hand, Karun Nair contributed with a gritty 86 off 188 deliveries. The lower-order batters and tailenders also showed a lot of resilience as Vidarbha were eventually bowled out for 379.

In reply, Sachin Baby and Aditya Sarwate scored half-centuries for Kerala, but they were dismissed for 342. Vidarbha secured the crucial first-innings lead. Darshan Nalkande, Harsh Dubey, and Parth Rekhade took three wickets apiece for Vidarbha.

The hosts lost two early wickets in their second innings, but Malewar once again impressed with a 162-ball 73. However, Karun Nair was the star performer in the second innings. The right-handed batter smashed 135 runs off 295 balls, hitting 10 fours and two sixes. Nalkande also scored a half-century down the order as Vidarbha finished on 375/9 when the game ended in a draw. 

Vidarbha won the match by virtue of their lead in the first innings. Malewar won the Player of the Match award. Meanwhile, the Player of the Tournament award was conferred to Harsh Dubey, who finished with the most wickets in the competition. He bagged 69 scalps in 19 innings at an average of 16.98. On the other hand, Vidarbha’s Yash Rathod clinched the top spot in terms of runs scored in the season. He amassed 960 runs in 18 innings at an average of 53.33.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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