It was an exciting match between Vidarbha and Kerala at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur in the Ranji Trophy Final 2024-25. The game, which was played between 26 February and 2 March 2025, was a draw, yet Vidarbha won the trophy because of their first-innings advantage. It was one of the most memorable domestic finals in recent times, as both sides exhibited the best cricketing, endurance, and certain individuals performances of the highest order.
Match Overview
- Stadium: Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur.
- Toss: Kerala won the toss and chose to have the first field.
- Final score: Draw – Vidarbha ahead on first-innings lead.
Finals Ranji Trophy 2024-25.
A balance between bat and ball was provided at Nagpur. Though early on, the game had been favorable to fast bowlers, the game later became conducive to the bat men who could settle down. Spinners also played a significant part later in the day of the match.
Vidarbha First Innings: Good Start and Finish.
The Vidarbha were thrown out and they began first. The first two were not that strong, but the middle order came up to the occasion. Danish Malewar gave a magnificent blow of 153 runs on 285 balls, being a very patient and controlled striker. Karun Nair, who played along with him, played an important role of 86 runs, which gave Vidarbha an overpowering lead.
The bowlers of Kerala maintained it at the beginning. MD Nidheesh and Eden Apple Tom took three wickets each, but the deep batting line-up of Vidarbha had seen to it that the total was 379 all out in 123.1 overs.
This was enough to provide Vidarbha with an upper hand very early in the game and Kerala was left with no option but to counter attack with the bat.
The First Innings: Fighting Spirit but Short of Lead is the title of Kerala.
Kerala started off in a reserved manner knowing that they had to surpass the total of Vidarbha to take over. Sachin Baby was a giant with a traditional innings of 98 runs on 235 balls, with two more needed to justify a century.
The middle order gave them support and bowlers of Vidarbha were disciplined. Kerala was held down by 3 each by Darshan Nalkande and Harsh Dubey at 52 and 88 respectively.
The Kerala bowled out to a first innings stand of 342 in 125 overs, providing Vidarbha with a 37 run lead in the first innings which would prove decisive in the championship.
Vidarbha Second Innings: Developing the Winning Foundation.
Vidarbha displayed a great depth in batting once again in the second innings. Karun Nair was in the forefront scoring 135 out of 295 balls and Danish Malewar (73) and lower-order helped him.
The accumulated 375/9 that they stated in the 143.5 overs provided Kerala with a highly unlikely target on a fifth-day irregular pitch. The declaration of Vidarbha was a strategy- Vidarbha won enough runs on the board and at the same time allowed their bowlers time to push towards getting an outright victory.
The Second Innings: Batting Like Trojans to rescue the Match in Kerala.
With a goal of more than 400 runs on a difficult surface, Kerala concentrated on survival and not on scoring. Their openers began with a fine glee, but the spinners presently got time. The bowlers of Vidarbha headed by Aditya Sarwate and Harsh Dubey continually put the batsmen on the wrong foot by pitching tight lines at the roughs.
Nonetheless, the middle order in Kerala opposed successfully and made sure that they did not disintegrate. It turned out to be a draw and Vidarbha became the Ranji Trophy champions, as they had a massive first-innings advantage.
Full Scorecard Summary
🏏 Vidarbha-1 st Innings: 379 all out (123.1 overs)
- Danish Malewar – 153
- Karun Nair – 86
- MD Nidheesh – 3/61
- Eden Apple Tom – 3/102
Kerala -1 st Innings: 342 all out (125.0 overs)
- Sachin Baby – 98
- Rohan Kunnummal – 57
- Darshan Nalkande – 3/52
- Harsh Dubey – 3/88
🏏 Vidarbha -2 nd Innings: 375/9 declared (143.5 overs)
- Karun Nair – 135
- Danish Malewar – 73
- Basil Thampi – 2/77
- Jalaj Saxena – 2/85
Kerala- 2 nd inning: 212/6 (match drawn)
- Rohan Kunnummal – 66
- Sachin Baby – 51*
- Aditya Sarwate – 3/49
Verdict: Drawn —Vidarbha by first-innings lead.
- Top Performers
- Man of the Match Danish Malewar (Vidarbha) 153 and 73 runs.
Best Bowler: Aditya Sarwate (Vidarbha) – 7 wickets in the match
- Standout moment of Kerala Sachin Baby – steady bat with 98 and 51* scores.
- The difference was made by the consistency and richness of performances by both sides, though Vidarbha was more consistent. Their coordinated effort in the team work was too much to overcome the heroic fight back of Kerala.
- Main Highlights and Turning Point.
- This was laid down by Malewar in his 153 in the first innings, which made the basis of the Vidarbha total.
- Nair Leadership: Karun Nair remained calm under pressure scoring 135 in the second innings.
- Resistance by Kerala: Kerala in spite of losing the first innings showed great spirit to rescue the match on the last day.
- First-Innings Lead Winner: The narrow 37-run lead that Vidarbha had taken was enough to seal the trophy.
Final Thoughts
Vidarbha vs Kerala Ranji Trophy final was a real demonstration of high level domestic cricket. It possessed all the ingredients, good batting, serious bowling, captive strategy, and psychological stability.
Although Kerala can be happy that they finally made it to the first final in years, it was the dominance and experience that made Vidarbha to prevail. Vidarbha with stars such as Danish Malewar, Karun Nair and Aditya Sarwate was a testament of why they continue to be one of the best domestic teams in India.
When Nagpur celebrations commenced, one thing was evident that the cricketing power of Vidarbha is founded on team work, patience and unremitting discipline which once again brought them Ranji trophy champions.
