Vidarbha make hat-trick of Ranji Trophy titles

Date :03-Mar-2025

Vidarbha players and coaching staff celebrating with the Ranji trophy after defeating Kerala in the final match at VCA’s Jamtha stadium, on Sunday. (More reports on page 4) (Pic by Satish Raut)

By Anupam Soni :

Beat Kerala on 1st innings lead Malewar named man of the final Dubey man of the series

SUNDAY, March 2, 2025 will go down in the history of Vidarbha cricket as a red-letter day with the team completing hat-trick of Ranji Trophy titles. No sooner than all-rounder Darshan Nalkande completed his half century and the declaration came, all Vidarbha players rushed on to ground to collect whatever they could (stumps, bails, match ball) as souvenirs for future. Even a shy person like coach Usman Ghani was jumping with joy with all the team members in huddle on the pitch.

There were handshakes and hugs all around as they congratulated each other for a big achievement — a new big for most of them as they were not part of the two earlier triumphs. Put into bat, Vidarbha made 379 and then restricted Kerala to 342 for 37-run lead. In their second innings, Vidarbha recovered brilliantly from 7-2 to post 375-9 in the second knock to seal the deal. Adding to their January 1, 2018 and February 7, 2019 titles, Vidarbha won their third title in March after a gap of five years. Faiz Fazal-led team defeated Delhi in Indore and then defended the title next year beating Saurashtra at Jamtha. Since 2001, only Mumbai (twice), Rajasthan, Karnataka and Vidarbha have won the title in successive years. Vidarbha also became the sixth team to win the Ranji Trophy on at least three occasions. With 42 crowns from 89 editions, Mumbai, who were defeated by the hosts in semi-final this season, are the leaders by a distance.

After their one-run lead in quarter-final and two runs lead in the semis, Kerala ran out of luck in the most important game — their first-ever BCCI final at any level. They were up against Vidarbha, who have won the prestigious national title twice and were playing their 17th overall BCCI final — all age groups combined. Among the high points of the game which helped Vidarbha corner glory include — Vidarbha’s last wicket pair of Nachiket Bhute and Harsh Dubey added crucial 44 runs (while the first innings lead was just 37 runs). Kerala skipper Sachin Baby going for a big heave to be caught out in the deep was a shocking moment not only for the batter but also for team that had made its maiden appearance in final. And, then after reducing Vidarbha to 7-2 in second innings, the visitors gave Karun Nair a reprieve when the batter was on 31. He went on to add more than hundred runs from there on to his individual score and batted the team out. The hosts started the fifth and final day of the summit clash with Nair and skipper Akshay Wadkar taking fresh guard. Left-arm spinner Sarvate made one turn enough to beat bat of an advancing Nair, who had hit the same bowler for two sixes a day before, and wicketkeeper Mohd Azharuddeen did the rest whipping off the bails. Nair added just three runs to his overnight score of 132. Kerala, who continued with the old ball, lost two DRS within the first hour.

After completing 100 overs with the same ball, umpire handed them the new ball (mandatory after 100 overs). Wadkar hit his first boundary of the innings on the 73rd ball he faced. The four took the overall lead over 300. The hosts looked in no hurry as Wadkar and Harsh Dubey (4; 26b) kept on presenting the dead bat more often than not. Kerala seamer Eden Apple Tom finally succeeded in breaking the partnership by trapping Dubey. The all-rounder had a chance to complete a rare double of 50+ wickets and 500+ runs in a Ranji season. Dubey ended with 69 wickets, a national record, but failed to score 500 ending at 476. In Ranji history, only two players — Karnataka’s Sunil Joshi (1995-96) and R Sanjay Yadav of Meghalaya (2019-20) have accomplished the feat. From the other end, Sarvate struck to remove his former skipper Wadkar (25: 108, 2x4) cleaning him up with the batter going on back foot. Akshay Karnewar hit two fours off Tom, one each on either side of the turf in an over. Between those two boundaries, he was hit on gloves by a ball that bounced awkwardly at him. Kerala bowlers were still trying their best. But with each defensive stroke by Vidarbha batters, who were busy with killing time, their hopes were fading. Karnewar lofted Sarvate into the stand for maximum to break the monotony.

At lunch, the hosts were 314-7, stretching the overall lead past 350-run mark. In opening session, 65 runs were scored in 34 overs losing three wickets. With a huge cushion and chasing those many in under two sessions an impossible act, Vidarbha batters came with a positive intent in the second session. After hitting his third four, Karnewar was cleaned up by seamer Nedumankuzhy Basil.

Nalkande opened up and struck three boundaries but saw partner Nachiket Bhute out lbw to Sarvate, who picked his fourth wicket off the innings as well as the match. That brought Vidarbha’s two IPL seamers at the crease. But Yash Thakur scored his first single after playing 12 dots making clear that the hosts wanted to bat as long as possible. Vidarbha waited till Nalkande helped himself to his second First-Class fifty. With no chance of any outright result in sight, both teams decided it was time to shake hands triggering Vidarbha’s celebration.

Last year, we lost the final. So, we stared preparations during the monsoon itself. Every individual worked on himself. There are four Vidarbha batters among the top-ten run-getters this season. Harsh Dubey is the highest wicket-taker. Yash (Rathod) was the highest-run getter and Danish (Malewar) can turn a game around. As a captain I had a dream of lifting Ranji Trophy. Every First-Class cricketer has that dream, and we’ve fulfilled that. We’re ticking all aspects, and we’ll look at what we can work on in the off-season.
— Vidarbha skipper Akshay Wadkar

This is the biggest moment of my life. As a coach I had a dream about lifting this magnificent trophy and we have done it today. Last year, we missed by a whisker. We worked on our batting and fielding after that Mumbai loss. Batting was a an area of concern that we rectified it this season. (Assistant coach Atul) Ranade did a wonderful job in fielding department. We have a very good system in place here in Vidarbha. Akshay Wakhare has been a great ambassador of cricket. We salute him for his service to the team. We are very proud of him and wish very best to him. Though our batters are doing well, I don’t think this is the right time to do away with professional players. Karun Nair and Dhruv Shorey have not only contributed with the bat but also guided the youngsters. — Vidarbha coach Usman Ghani
It’s a dream come true moment. We lost the final last year. Akshay (Wakhare) bhai is retiring, so the trophy is a big thing for him. In the off-season, I worked on my fitness and skills. This is a result of all that. I have a simple plan: take it one game at a time. I try to bowl in the right areas. I wouldn’t call myself a bowling all-rounder; rather, I’m a batting all-rounder. The end goal is to play for India but I don’t want to complicate things thinking about it right now. — Left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey
There’s no secret (of success). I just prepared a lot before start of the season. I wanted to get 1000 runs, but I fell 40 short. Very grateful, still. It’s important to have a purpose.
— Highest run-getter this season Yash Rathod

It was a great season for me. I got a lot of experience and learnings. I was able to contribute, and luckily, I had an impact in the final. I was prepared to get to a hundred; I was getting out in the 50s or 60s. Luckily, I was able to convert (into a hundred). 
— Man of the final Danish Malewar
This is an unbelievable achievement. I am very very happy for each and every member of the team. The way the team dominated throughout the tournament is very creditable. Am super happy for Yash and Dubey who have topped the charts. Karun and Dhruv have also done well. Many congratulations on winning Ranji Trophy which is a huge thing but I am also here for Akshay Wakhare. He is like a brother to me. I am as emotional as he is today. He has served Vidarbha cricket for a long time with full dedication. I wish him all the best.
— Two-time Ranji winning ex-Vidarbha captain Faiz Fazal

Architects of title win
Harsh Dubey
The southpaw came up with an all-round performance in the tournament. He entered Ranji record books by taking maximum number of wickets by any bowler in a season. His tally of 69 scalps was one better than Bihar’s Aushutosh Aman. He also scored 476 runs with five fifties.
Yash Rathod
middle-order bat turned out to be the best batter of the season. One of the most consistent batters, Rathod hit 960 runs with five hundreds and three half centuries. His second innings’ 151 against Mumbai on a turning track was the most notable performance.
Karun Nair
The top order professional played his part to perfection. Not only he returned with the second best total for Vidarbha, Nair, along with another pro Dhurv Shorey, was instrumental in guiding youngsters like Rathod and Danish Malewar. The right-handed batsman hit four centuries and two fifties.
Danish Malewar
Youngster gave full justice to the faith of the selectors. In his debut season, the player impressed one and sundry with his skill, technique and more importantly patience, an attribute much required in the red-ball cricket. He made 783 runs with two hundreds and six fifties. His best (153) came in most important game of the tournament — final against Kerala.
Akshay Wadkar
skipper was as good as behind the wickets as in front. He led by example scoring 722 runs with two tons and an equal number of fifties. He took 19 catches and effected seven stumpings playing a big role in the triumph.
Aditya Thakare
Lanky seamer, who missed final two games of the season, was the second best bowler for the winners. He took 28 wicket from eight games with 5-34 against Tamil Nadu being his best.
Akshay Wakhare
veteran off-spinner also missed two big games as the think tank went for a different combination. He ended with 27 wickets. During the league phase, when other bowlers failed to break the partnerships, it was Wakhare who got them those crucial wickets.
Parth Rekhade
southpaw all-rounder was a surprise package. His three big wickets in semi-final against Mumbai wherein he removed Ajinkya Rahane, Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube, all in one over, changed the course of the match. In final against Kerala, when Sachin Baby was looking good for a hundred and more, he had him caught in the deep to give a big opening to his side. He picked 13 wickets from just three games.
— Anupam Soni