The Ranji Trophy Elite 2024-25 final between Vidarbha Cricket Team Vs Kerala Cricket Team Match Scorecard, held from February 26 to March 2, 2025, at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur, was a gripping showcase of India’s premier domestic first-class cricket tournament. This five-day clash, which ended in a draw with Vidarbha clinching the title due to a crucial 37-run first-innings lead, was a testament to the resilience, skill, and drama that define the Ranji Trophy.
Match Overview: A Battle of Grit and Strategy
The Ranji Trophy final is the pinnacle of Indian domestic cricket, pitting the best teams against each other in a test of endurance, technique, and temperament. Vidarbha, a two-time champion (2017-18 and 2018-19), entered the 2024-25 final as favorites, having remained unbeaten throughout the season with five wins and two draws in the group stage. Kerala, on the other hand, were the underdogs, reaching their first-ever Ranji Trophy final under the leadership of Sachin Baby and coach Amay Khurasiya. Their journey included a dramatic two-run first-innings lead against Gujarat in the semifinal, showcasing their ability to thrive in high-pressure situations.
The match, played on a balanced pitch with some turn and variable bounce, was a rollercoaster of emotions. Vidarbha’s disciplined bowling and gritty batting, led by standout performances from Danish Malewar, Karun Nair, and Harsh Dubey, contrasted with Kerala’s fighting spirit, exemplified by Aditya Sarwate and Sachin Baby. The scorecard tells the story of a closely fought battle where every run and wicket mattered, culminating in Vidarbha’s third Ranji Trophy title.
Vidarbha Cricket Team Vs Kerala Cricket Team Match Scorecard
Below is a detailed table summarizing the Vidarbha Cricket Team Vs Kerala Cricket Team Match Scorecard Ranji Trophy Final 2024-25, held from February 26 to March 2, 2025, at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur.
Vidarbha 1st Innings: 379/10 (123.1 overs)
|
Batsman |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Danish Malewar |
153 | 296 | 17 | 1 |
c Sarwate b Nidheesh |
|
Karun Nair |
86 | 237 | 10 | 0 |
run out (Saxena) |
|
Nachiket Bhute |
32 | 38 | 4 | 0 |
c Baby b Apple Tom |
|
Akshay Wadkar (c & wk) |
23 | 65 | 3 | 0 |
lbw b Basil |
|
Akshay Karnewar |
12 | 36 | 2 | 0 |
c Azharuddeen b Saxena |
|
Harsh Dubey |
12* | 24 | 1 | 0 |
not out |
|
Yash Rathod |
3 | 19 | 0 | 0 |
b Apple Tom |
|
Yash Thakur |
0 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
c Imran b Nidheesh |
|
Dhruv Shorey |
11 | 35 | 2 | 0 |
c Nizar b Basil |
|
Darshan Nalkande |
7 | 19 | 1 | 0 |
lbw b Nidheesh |
|
Parth Rekhade |
0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
c Azharuddeen b Apple Tom |
|
Extras |
16 |
(b 4, lb 8, nb 4) |
|||
|
Total |
379 |
(123.1 overs, RR: 3.08) |
|
Bowler (Kerala) |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MD Nidheesh |
20.1 | 3 | 61 | 3 |
|
Eden Apple Tom |
28 | 4 | 102 | 3 |
|
Nedumankuzhy Basil |
24 | 5 | 60 | 2 |
|
Jalaj Saxena |
45 | 8 | 97 | 1 |
|
Akshay Chandran |
11 | 2 | 32 | 1 |
|
Aditya Sarwate |
15 | 4 | 15 | 0 |
Fall of Wickets: 0/1 (Rekhade, 0.2), 11/2 (Nalkande, 6.3), 24/3 (Shorey, 12.5), 239/4 (Nair, 81.4), 290/5 (Malewar, 95.3), 295/6 (Thakur, 99.4), 297/7 (Rathod, 100.3), 333/8 (Karnewar, 110.1), 335/9 (Wadkar, 113.3), 379/10 (Bhute, 123.1).
Kerala 1st Innings: 342/10 (125 overs)
|
Batsman |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sachin Baby (c) |
98 | 235 | 10 | 0 |
c Karnewar b Rekhade |
|
Aditya Sarwate |
79 | 185 | 10 | 0 |
lbw b Dubey |
|
Mohammed Azharuddeen (wk) |
34 | 70 | 5 | 0 |
c Wadkar b Nalkande |
|
Ahammed Imran |
37 | 83 | 3 | 0 |
b Thakur |
|
Jalaj Saxena |
28 | 70 | 3 | 0 |
c Shorey b Rekhade |
|
Salman Nizar |
21 | 70 | 2 | 0 |
c Wadkar b Dubey |
|
Rohan Kunnummal |
0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
lbw b Nalkande |
|
Akshay Chandran |
14 | 7 | 3 | 0 |
c Malewar b Nalkande |
|
Eden Apple Tom |
10 | 30 | 1 | 0 |
c Nair b Rekhade |
|
MD Nidheesh |
1 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
b Dubey |
|
Nedumankuzhy Basil |
0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
not out |
|
Extras |
20 |
(b 10, lb 8, nb 2) |
|||
|
Total |
342 |
(125 overs, RR: 2.73) |
|
Bowler (Vidarbha) |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Darshan Nalkande |
20 | 5 | 52 | 3 |
|
Harsh Dubey |
30 | 6 | 88 | 3 |
|
Parth Rekhade |
25 | 4 | 65 | 3 |
|
Yash Thakur |
25 | 3 | 70 | 1 |
|
Akshay Karnewar |
20 | 2 | 45 | 0 |
|
Nachiket Bhute |
5 | 1 | 20 | 0 |
Fall of Wickets: 1/1 (Kunnummal, 0.5), 14/2 (Chandran, 2.3), 107/3 (Imran, 31.3), 170/4 (Sarwate, 55.6), 219/5 (Nizar, 70.4), 278/6 (Azharuddeen, 94.1), 324/7 (Baby, 106.5), 337/8 (Saxena, 118.3), 338/9 (Nidheesh, 121.6), 342/10 (Apple Tom, 124.6).
Vidarbha 2nd Innings: 375/9 (143.5 overs)
|
Batsman |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Karun Nair |
132* | 300 | 15 | 0 |
not out |
|
Danish Malewar |
73 | 162 | 8 | 0 |
c Baby b Sarwate |
|
Akshay Karnewar |
30 | 65 | 3 | 1 |
lbw b Sarwate |
|
Darshan Nalkande |
50* | 60 | 6 | 0 |
not out |
|
Yash Rathod |
24 | 60 | 2 | 0 |
c Azharuddeen b Saxena |
|
Akshay Wadkar (c & wk) |
4 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
c Nizar b Nidheesh |
|
Harsh Dubey |
4 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
b Apple Tom |
|
Dhruv Shorey |
5 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
b Chandran |
|
Parth Rekhade |
1 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
c Imran b Sarwate |
|
Nachiket Bhute |
2 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
c Kunnummal b Basil |
|
Yash Thakur |
0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
c Azharuddeen b Basil |
|
Extras |
16 |
(b 5, lb 10, nb 1) |
|||
|
Total |
375 |
(143.5 overs, RR: 2.61) |
|
Bowler (Kerala) |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Aditya Sarwate |
39 | 6 | 75 | 3 |
|
Jalaj Saxena |
45 | 7 | 97 | 1 |
|
MD Nidheesh |
15 | 2 | 48 | 1 |
|
Eden Apple Tom |
14 | 3 | 57 | 1 |
|
Akshay Chandran |
10 | 1 | 32 | 1 |
|
Nedumankuzhy Basil |
20 | 4 | 60 | 2 |
Fall of Wickets: 5/1 (Rekhade, 1.1), 7/2 (Shorey, 2.2), 189/3 (Malewar, 59.4), 238/4 (Rathod, 80.1), 259/5 (Nair, 96.3), 279/6 (Dubey, 108.1), 283/7 (Wadkar, 109.6), 331/8 (Karnewar, 130.4), 346/9 (Bhute, 133.4).
Kerala 2nd Innings: Not Batted
| Result | Match drawn; Vidarbha won the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 due to a 37-run first-innings lead. |
Vidarbha Cricket Team Vs Kerala Cricket Team Match Scorecard Day-by-Day Highlights
Vidarbha vs Kerala Day 1: Vidarbha’s Solid Start
Kerala won the toss and elected to bowl, hoping to exploit early conditions. Their pace trio of MD Nidheesh, Eden Apple Tom, and Nedumankuzhy Basil struck early, reducing Vidarbha to 24/3 by dismissing Parth Rekhade (0), Darshan Nalkande (7), and Dhruv Shorey (11). However, a 215-run fourth-wicket partnership between Danish Malewar (153) and Karun Nair (86) turned the tide. Malewar’s career-best 153, laced with 17 fours and a six, was a masterclass in concentration, while Nair’s gritty 86 fell short of a century due to a run-out. Vidarbha ended Day 1 at 254/4, firmly in control.
Vidarbha vs Kerala Day 2: Kerala Fight Back
Kerala’s bowlers bounced back on Day 2, restricting Vidarbha to 379. Nidheesh (3/61) and Apple Tom (3/102) led the charge, with Basil (2/60) providing support. Key wickets included Malewar, Yash Thakur (0), and Yash Rathod (3), though Nachiket Bhute’s 32 at No. 11 stretched Vidarbha’s total. In response, Kerala lost openers Rohan Kunnummal (0) and Akshay Chandran (14) early to Darshan Nalkande (2/22). Aditya Sarwate, promoted to No. 3, anchored the innings with an unbeaten 66, guiding Kerala to 131/3 by stumps, trailing by 248 runs.
Vidarbha vs Kerala Day 3: Sachin Baby’s Heartbreak
Kerala’s hopes rested on Sarwate (79) and captain Sachin Baby, who played a valiant 98 off 235 balls. However, Baby’s dismissal, caught at deep midwicket off Parth Rekhade after a reckless slog sweep, was a turning point. Kerala were bowled out for 342, falling 37 runs short of Vidarbha’s total. Harsh Dubey (3/88), Nalkande (3/52), and Rekhade (3/65) shared nine wickets, with Dubey setting a Ranji record for most wickets in a season (69). Vidarbha’s slender lead gave them the edge.
Vidarbha vs Kerala Day 4: Vidarbha Consolidate
Vidarbha’s second innings began shakily, with Jalaj Saxena and MD Nidheesh dismissing Rekhade (1) and Shorey (5). However, Karun Nair (132*) and Danish Malewar (73) steadied the ship with a 182-run third-wicket stand. Nair’s unbeaten century, his ninth of the season, was a display of class, while Malewar’s gritty 73 reinforced his potential. Vidarbha reached 249/4 by stumps, leading by 286 runs. Kerala’s missed chances, including a dropped catch of Nair early on, proved costly.
Vidarbha vs Kerala Day 5: The Final Act
On the final day, Vidarbha extended their lead to over 400, with Akshay Karnewar (30) and Darshan Nalkande (50*) frustrating Kerala. Aditya Sarwate (3/75) picked up key wickets, but with time running out and Kerala’s hopes of chasing a massive target fading, both teams agreed to a draw at 2:20 PM. Vidarbha’s first-innings lead secured them the title, celebrated by a 3,000-strong home crowd.
Vidarbha Cricket Team Vs Kerala Cricket Team Match Scorecard Key Performances
Vidarbha
-
Danish Malewar (153 & 73): The Player of the Match, Malewar’s 153 in the first innings and 73 in the second were pivotal. His ability to convert starts into big scores highlighted his maturity.
-
Karun Nair (86 & 132)*: Nair’s consistency across formats shone through, with his unbeaten second-innings century anchoring Vidarbha’s lead.
-
Harsh Dubey (3/88): The left-arm spinner broke the record for most wickets in a Ranji season (69), with his three-wicket haul in Kerala’s first innings proving crucial.
-
Yash Rathod: The season’s highest run-getter (960 runs), Rathod’s contributions throughout the tournament were immense, though he managed only 3 and 24 in the final.
-
Darshan Nalkande (3/52 & 50)*: Nalkande’s early breakthroughs and a fighting half-century in the second innings sealed Vidarbha’s dominance.
Kerala
-
Sachin Baby (98): The captain’s 98 was a heartbreaking near-miss, with his dismissal shifting momentum. His leadership and grit were commendable.
-
Aditya Sarwate (79 & 3/75): The former Vidarbha player, now with Kerala, played a defiant 79 and took three wickets in Vidarbha’s second innings, proving his all-round value.
-
Jalaj Saxena (28 & 1/97): The veteran all-rounder, with over 6000 runs and 400 wickets in Ranji history, fought hard but couldn’t turn the tide.
-
MD Nidheesh (3/61): The pacer’s three wickets in Vidarbha’s first innings kept Kerala in the game.
Vidarbha Cricket Team Vs Kerala Cricket Team Match ScorecardTurning Points
-
Sachin Baby’s Dismissal (98): Baby’s slog sweep on 98, with Kerala 56 runs short of a first-innings lead, was a “brain fade moment” that handed Vidarbha the advantage.
-
Karun Nair’s Run-Out (86): Nair’s first-innings dismissal due to a mix-up prevented Vidarbha from posting a bigger total, keeping Kerala in contention.
-
Kerala’s Missed Chances: Dropped catches, including Nair’s in the second innings, and not appealing for a caught-behind against Sarwate were costly.
-
Vidarbha’s Lower-Order Resilience: Contributions from Bhute (32) and Nalkande (50*) in both innings stretched Vidarbha’s lead, making a Kerala chase improbable.
The Bigger Picture
For Vidarbha, this victory was redemption after losing the 2023-24 final to Mumbai. Their system of nurturing young talent like Malewar, Dubey, and Rathod, alongside veterans like Nair and Wadkar, paid dividends. Coach Usman Ghani’s emphasis on process and discipline was evident in their clinical performance.
Kerala’s first Ranji final was a historic milestone. Their journey, marked by dramatic leads in the knockouts, showcased their potential to compete with the best. Sachin Baby’s leadership and the performances of Sarwate, Saxena, and Nizar signal a bright future. As Baby noted, “Next time, we’ll give Vidarbha a tougher time.”
The match also highlighted the depth of Indian domestic cricket. Players like Malewar and Dubey are knocking on the doors of higher honors, while veterans like Nair and Saxena continue to dominate. The 3,000-strong crowd in Nagpur and the social media buzz (#VidarbhaVsKerala) underscored the passion for domestic cricket.
Conclusion
The Vidarbha Cricket Team Vs Kerala Cricket Team Match Scorecard Ranji Trophy Final 2024-25 was a classic, encapsulating the essence of first-class cricket—grit, skill, and drama. The scorecard reflects a contest where Vidarbha’s resilience edged out Kerala’s fighting spirit. For fans, it was a reminder of the talent waiting to shine on bigger stages. As Vidarbha celebrated their third title and Kerala vowed to return stronger, this final will be remembered as a testament to the competitive spirit of Indian domestic cricket.
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