[WATCH]- Vidarbha Celebrate Ranji Trophy Final Berth On First Innings Lead

Vidarbha secured their third Ranji Trophy title after the 2024-25 final against Kerala ended in a draw on Sunday, March 2, at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. They were declared champions based on their first-innings lead.

Batting first, Vidarbha posted 379 runs, powered by Danish Malewar’s 153 and Karun Nair’s 86. In response, Kerala managed 342, falling 37 runs short. Skipper Sachin Baby top-scored with 98, while Aditya Sarwate contributed 79. Vidarbha’s Darshan Nalkande, Harsh Dubey, and Parth Rekhade took three wickets each.

In the second innings, Vidarbha reached 375/9 before the match ended. Karun Nair scored 135, while Danish Malewar (73) and Darshan Nalkande (51*) added crucial runs to seal the victory on a first-innings advantage.

This marks Vidarbha’s third Ranji Trophy title in seven years. They remained unbeaten throughout the season, winning six group-stage matches before defeating Tamil Nadu by 198 runs in the quarter-final, Mumbai by 80 runs in the semi-final, and clinching the final against Kerala on a first-innings lead.

The team celebrated joyously, with players hugging each other and cheering. Smiles lit up the faces of the coach, players, and staff as they reveled in their triumph. You can watch the video here:

https://x.com/bccidomestic/status/1896125779886625028?s=46

When was Vidarbha’s last Ranji Trophy victory?

Vidarbha clinched their third Ranji Trophy title, having previously won India’s premier domestic competition in back-to-back seasons in 2017-18 and 2018-19. In the 2017-18 final, they defeated Delhi. Delhi posted 295 runs in the first innings, but Vidarbha responded with a massive 547.

They then bowled out Delhi for 280 and chased a 29-run target to secure a nine-wicket victory. The following season, Vidarbha triumphed over Saurashtra in the 2018-19 final, winning by 78 runs.

They scored 312 in the first innings and restricted Saurashtra to 307. Vidarbha then put up 200 in their second innings, setting a 206-run target. Saurashtra were dismissed for just 127, giving Vidarbha their second consecutive title.

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