The Ranji Trophy 2025–26 season begins on October 15, and all teams are gearing up for another intense domestic battle. Even before the first ball has been bowled, the season has made headlines including the surprising selection of a 14-year-old vice-captain, a testament to the changing landscape of Indian cricket. Here’s a glance at the most successful teams of the past decade, who have dominated the Ranji Trophy with consistency, talent, and resilience.
1. Vidarbha – 3 Titles (2024–25, 2018–19, 2017–18)
2024–25 Season
The final was played against Kerala on 26 February 2025, where Kerala won the toss and elected to field first. Vidarbha put up a strong total of 379 in their first innings, powered by Danish Malewar’s brilliant 153 off 285 balls. In reply, Kerala fought hard but were bowled out for 342, with Sachin Baby top-scoring with a resilient 98 off 235 deliveries.
In the second innings, Karun Nair’s composed 135 off 295 balls guided Vidarbha to 375/9 before the match ended in a draw on the final day. Vidarbha clinched the Ranji Trophy title by virtue of their first-innings lead.
2018–19 Season
Vidarbha faced Saurashtra in the final 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 determined 102 off 209 deliveries. In the second innings, Vidarbha managed 200 runs before their bowlers dismissed Saurashtra for just 127, securing a comprehensive victory and clinching back-to-back Ranji Trophy titles.
2017–18 Season
In their maiden Ranji Trophy triumph, Vidarbha defeated Delhi at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. Delhi were bowled out for 295 in the first innings, with Dhruv Shorey scoring a resilient 145 off 294 balls, while Rajneesh Gurbani’s brilliant 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 in their second innings, leaving Vidarbha a modest 29-run target, which they chased down comfortably to seal a historic 9-wicket victory. Gurbani, who also claimed a memorable hat-trick, was named Player of the Match for his outstanding performance.
2. Mumbai – 2 Titles (2023–24, 2015–16)
2023–24 Season
The final between Mumbai and Vidarbha was held at the Wankhede Stadium from 10 to 14 March 2024. Vidarbha won the toss and elected to field first, bowling Mumbai out for 224, with Shardul Thakur’s quickfire 75 off 69 balls being the standout performance. In reply, Vidarbha were restricted to just 105, as Tanush Kotian impressed with figures of 3/7.
In their second innings, Mumbai posted a strong total, driven by Musheer Khan’s patient 136 off 326 deliveries, setting Vidarbha a daunting target of 538 runs. Despite a spirited effort, Vidarbha were bowled out for 368, giving Mumbai a 169-run victory. Musheer Khan was named Player of the Match for his match-defining century.
2015–16 Season
The final was held at the MCA Stadium in Pune, where Mumbai clinched a dominant victory over Saurashtra by an innings and 21 runs. Saurashtra were bowled out for 235 in their first innings, with Dhawal Kulkarni delivering a superb spell of 5/42.
In reply, Mumbai posted a strong total of 371, powered by Shreyas Iyer’s fluent 117 off 142 balls. Saurashtra struggled in their second innings, folding for just 115, as Shardul Thakur produced a brilliant 5/26 to seal the win. Shreyas Iyer was named Player of the Match for his match-defining knock.
3. Saurashtra – 2 Titles (2022–23, 2019–20)
2022–23 Season
Saurashtra defeated Bengal in the final at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Opting to bowl first, Saurashtra bundled out Bengal for 174, with Chetan Sakariya leading the attack with figures of 3/33. In reply, Saurashtra posted a commanding 404, anchored by Arpit Vasavada’s solid 81 off 156 balls.
In the second innings, Jaydev Unadkat’s brilliant spell of 6/85 dismantled Bengal for 241, leaving Saurashtra a target of just 12 runs. They chased it down with ease to register a 9-wicket victory. Jaydev Unadkat was named Player of the Match for his exceptional bowling performance.
2019–20 Season
At Rajkot, Saurashtra posted 425 in their first innings, led by Arpit Vasavada’s resilient 106 off 287 balls. Bengal responded with 381, but Saurashtra’s first-innings lead proved decisive as the match ended in a draw. With this advantage, Saurashtra were crowned Ranji Trophy champions, and Vasavada was once again named Player of the Match for his outstanding performance.
4. Karnataka – 2 Titles (2013–14, 2014–15)
2013–14 Season
At Hyderabad, Karnataka defeated Maharashtra by 7 wickets. Maharashtra posted 305 in their first innings, but Lokesh Rahul’s brilliant 131 off 273 balls guided Karnataka to a commanding 515. In the second innings, Shreyas Gopal’s incisive bowling, taking 4/47, dismantled Maharashtra, allowing Karnataka to chase down the target of 157 with ease.
2014–15 Season
Facing Tamil Nadu at the Wankhede Stadium, Karnataka bowled them out for just 134, with Vinay Kumar delivering a brilliant spell of 5/34. In response, Karun Nair produced a record-breaking 328 off 560 balls, helping Karnataka amass a massive total of 762. Tamil Nadu’s resistance ended at 411 in their second innings, giving Karnataka a commanding victory by an innings and 217 runs. Karun Nair was named Player of the Match for his extraordinary innings.
5. Madhya Pradesh – 1 Title (2021–22)
Madhya Pradesh defeated Mumbai at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. Mumbai posted 374, highlighted by Sarfaraz Khan’s 134 off 234 balls, but MP responded strongly with 536, led by Yash Dubey’s 133 and a crucial contribution from Shubham Sharma. Chasing a modest target of 108, Madhya Pradesh reached it comfortably with 6 wickets in hand. Shubham Sharma was named Player of the Match for his all-round performance.
6. Gujarat – 1 Title (2016–17)
Gujarat etched their name in history with a thrilling chase against Mumbai at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. Chasing 312 in the final innings, Parthiv Patel’s brilliant 143 off 196 balls guided Gujarat to a memorable 5-wicket victory, marking the highest successful chase in a Ranji Trophy final. Parthiv Patel was named Player of the Match for his match-winning innings.
Written by Manjunath S
