Vidarbha was crowned the Ranji Trophy champions for the third time in seven seasons following an impressive performance in the 2024-25 final against Kerala in Nagpur. Led by Akshay Wadkar, the team finalized their victory on Sunday, March 2, after the final at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium ended in a draw, winning on the basis of their first-innings lead.
Vidarbha’s Journey to Glory in the Final
Vidarbha showed remarkable grit and determination in the final, beginning with a strong first innings total of 379 runs. Their bowlers effectively limited Kerala to 342, ensuring a crucial first-innings lead. By Day 3, with the lead secured, Vidarbha carefully batted through 143.5 overs in their second innings, finishing at 375/9 before both captains decided to agree on a draw.
This triumph further cements Vidarbha’s legacy in domestic cricket, marking their resurgence as a dominant force in red-ball cricket. Their previous Ranji Trophy victories came in 2017-18 and 2018-19, and after narrowly missing out last season against Mumbai, they made a strong comeback this year.
