Vidarbha emerged as Ranji Trophy champions by outplaying Kerala in the final and securing a 37-run first innings lead. The team, with standout performances from players like Yash Rathod and Harsh Dubey,

Vidarbha confirmed their victory over Kerala in the final of the Ranji Trophy, with a 37-run first innings lead enough to let them bat out a draw and win their third title in seven years. Karun Nair and Danish Malewar the heroes.

Kerala, the first-time finalists, fought hard but Vidarbha were rewarded for their incredible hard work and discipline throughout a season in which they not only clinched the Ranji Trophy but also ended as the runner-up in the 50-overs Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Karun Nair's unbeaten 132 helps Vidarbha take a commanding lead of 286 runs over Kerala in the Ranji Trophy final. After being dropped by Kerala's Aks

Vidarbha won their third Ranji Trophy title, courtesy their first innings lead in the final against Kerala as the summit clash ended in a draw on the fifth and final day on Sunday. ( More Cricket News)

In a recent press conference, Kerala's cricket team captain Sachin Baby took full responsibility for his team's heartbreaking defeat in the Ranji Trophy final. "As the leader, I'll take the blame," he said. "My shot changed the momentum of the game."

Riding on Karun Nair's 135, Vidarbha reached 348 for 9 in their second innings, batting out the morning session of the final day without setting a target.

A superb run in the 2024-25 domestic season was capped with a third Ranji Trophy title for Vidarbha on Sunday (March 2), as they pipped Kerala on the basis of first-innings lead on the fifth and final day of the summit clash at their home ground in Nagpur.

Vidarbha cricket team has won its third Ranji Trophy title on basis of their first innings lead versus Kerala in the 2024/25 final. The high-scoring match in Nagpur ended in a draw on Day 5.

Vidarbha emerged as the best team across all the four groups in the league stage with six wins in seven matches giving them 40 points.

Vidarbha 379 (Malewar 153, Nair 86, Nidheesh 3-61) and 375 for 9 dec (Nair 135, Malewar 73, Sarwate 4-96) drew with Kerala 342 (Baby 98, Sarwate 79, Nalkande 3-52) Vidarbha put the ghosts of 2023-24 to bed in the most emphatic manner possible - snatching a thrilling battle for the first-innings lead in style - and then grinding Kerala down for nearly five sessions in the second innings to be crowned Ranji Trophy champions for the third time.