The Ranji Trophy 2025–26 season begins on October 15, and all groups are gearing up for one more intense home battle. Even earlier than the primary ball has been bowled, the season has made headlines together with the stunning choice of a 14-year-old vice-captain, a testomony to the altering panorama of Indian cricket. Right here’s a look on the most profitable groups of the previous decade, who’ve dominated the Ranji Trophy with consistency, expertise, and resilience.
1. Vidarbha – 3 Titles (2024–25, 2018–19, 2017–18)
2024–25 Season
The ultimate was performed in opposition to Kerala on 26 February 2025, the place Kerala received the toss and elected to subject first. Vidarbha put up a powerful whole of 379 of their first innings, powered by Danish Malewar’s good 153 off 285 balls. In reply, Kerala fought exhausting however had been bowled out for 342, with Sachin Child top-scoring with a resilient 98 off 235 deliveries.
Within the second innings, Karun Nair’s composed 135 off 295 balls guided Vidarbha to 375/9 earlier than the match resulted in a draw on the ultimate day. Vidarbha clinched the Ranji Trophy title by advantage of their first-innings lead.
2018–19 Season
Vidarbha confronted Saurashtra within the last on 3 February 2019. Batting first, Vidarbha posted 312 runs, with Akshay Karnewar remaining unbeaten on 73 off 160 balls. Saurashtra replied with 307, led by Snell Patel’s decided 102 off 209 deliveries. Within the second innings, Vidarbha managed 200 runs earlier than their bowlers dismissed Saurashtra for simply 127, securing a complete victory and clinching back-to-back Ranji Trophy titles.
2017–18 Season
Of their maiden Ranji Trophy triumph, Vidarbha defeated Delhi on the Holkar Stadium in Indore. Delhi had been bowled out for 295 within the first innings, with Dhruv Shorey scoring a resilient 145 off 294 balls, whereas Rajneesh Gurbani’s good spell of 6/59 turned the tide in Vidarbha’s favour.
In response, Vidarbha amassed 547, powered by Akshay Wadkar’s maiden first-class century — a composed 133 off 262 deliveries. Delhi managed 280 of their second innings, leaving Vidarbha a modest 29-run goal, which they chased down comfortably to seal a historic 9-wicket victory. Gurbani, who additionally claimed a memorable hat-trick, was named Participant of the Match for his excellent efficiency.
2. Mumbai – 2 Titles (2023–24, 2015–16)
2023–24 Season
The ultimate between Mumbai and Vidarbha was held on the Wankhede Stadium from 10 to 14 March 2024. Vidarbha received the toss and elected to subject first, bowling Mumbai out for 224, with Shardul Thakur’s quickfire 75 off 69 balls being the standout efficiency. In reply, Vidarbha had been restricted to simply 105, as Tanush Kotian impressed with figures of three/7.
Of their second innings, Mumbai posted a powerful whole, pushed by Musheer Khan’s affected person 136 off 326 deliveries, setting Vidarbha a frightening goal of 538 runs. Regardless of a spirited effort, Vidarbha had been bowled out for 368, giving Mumbai a 169-run victory. Musheer Khan was named Participant of the Match for his match-defining century.
2015–16 Season
The ultimate was held on the MCA Stadium in Pune, the place Mumbai clinched a dominant victory over Saurashtra by an innings and 21 runs. Saurashtra had been bowled out for 235 of their first innings, with Dhawal Kulkarni delivering an excellent spell of 5/42.
In reply, Mumbai posted a powerful whole of 371, powered by Shreyas Iyer’s fluent 117 off 142 balls. Saurashtra struggled of their second innings, folding for simply 115, as Shardul Thakur produced an excellent 5/26 to seal the win. Shreyas Iyer was named Participant of the Match for his match-defining knock.
3. Saurashtra – 2 Titles (2022–23, 2019–20)
2022–23 Season
Saurashtra defeated Bengal within the last at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Opting to bowl first, Saurashtra bundled out Bengal for 174, with Chetan Sakariya main the assault with figures of three/33. In reply, Saurashtra posted a commanding 404, anchored by Arpit Vasavada’s strong 81 off 156 balls.
Within the second innings, Jaydev Unadkat’s good spell of 6/85 dismantled Bengal for 241, leaving Saurashtra a goal of simply 12 runs. They chased it down with ease to register a 9-wicket victory. Jaydev Unadkat was named Participant of the Match for his distinctive bowling efficiency.
2019–20 Season
At Rajkot, Saurashtra posted 425 of their first innings, led by Arpit Vasavada’s resilient 106 off 287 balls. Bengal responded with 381, however Saurashtra’s first-innings lead proved decisive because the match resulted in a draw. With this benefit, Saurashtra had been topped Ranji Trophy champions, and Vasavada was as soon as once more named Participant of the Match for his excellent efficiency.
4. Karnataka – 2 Titles (2013–14, 2014–15)
2013–14 Season
At Hyderabad, Karnataka defeated Maharashtra by 7 wickets. Maharashtra posted 305 of their first innings, however Lokesh Rahul’s good 131 off 273 balls guided Karnataka to a commanding 515. Within the second innings, Shreyas Gopal’s incisive bowling, taking 4/47, dismantled Maharashtra, permitting Karnataka to chase down the goal of 157 with ease.
2014–15 Season
Going through Tamil Nadu on the Wankhede Stadium, Karnataka bowled them out for simply 134, with Vinay Kumar delivering an excellent spell of 5/34. In response, Karun Nair produced a record-breaking 328 off 560 balls, serving to Karnataka amass an enormous whole of 762. Tamil Nadu’s resistance ended at 411 of their second innings, giving Karnataka a commanding victory by an innings and 217 runs. Karun Nair was named Participant of the Match for his extraordinary innings.
Madhya Pradesh defeated Mumbai on the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. Mumbai posted 374, highlighted by Sarfaraz Khan’s 134 off 234 balls, however MP responded strongly with 536, led by Yash Dubey’s 133 and an important contribution from Shubham Sharma. Chasing a modest goal of 108, Madhya Pradesh reached it comfortably with 6 wickets in hand. Shubham Sharma was named Participant of the Match for his all-round efficiency.
6. Gujarat – 1 Title (2016–17)
Gujarat etched their identify in historical past with an exciting chase in opposition to Mumbai on the Holkar Stadium in Indore. Chasing 312 within the last innings, Parthiv Patel’s good 143 off 196 balls guided Gujarat to a memorable 5-wicket victory, marking the very best profitable chase in a Ranji Trophy last. Parthiv Patel was named Participant of the Match for his match-winning innings.
Written by Manjunath S
