Vidarbha and Kerala Cricket teams faced off in the final of the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. The five day match was played from 26th February to 2nd March 2025. Kerala won the toss and decided to bat first. Vidarbha credited with 379 runs and Kerala with 342 runs in the first innings.
Vidarbha then made 375/9 declared in the second innings. The match finished in a draw but Vidarbha took the victory in the Ranji Trophy due to their first innings lead.
Vidarbha vs Kerala Match Overview
Both sides were playing an important match as a Ranji Trophy final. Vidarbha were in the final after a good run and Kerala were playing their first Ranji Trophy final. The match took place at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Jamtha, Nagpur from 26th February to 2nd March 2025.
Kerala won the toss and decided to bowl. Vidarbha bowled out for 379 in 123.1 overs. Danish Malewar had 153 runs from 205 balls while Karun Nair had 86 runs from 281 balls.
Kerala bowled 125 overs for 342 runs. Captain Sachin Baby scored 98 while Aditya Sarwate scored 79. Vidarbha thus had a 37-run lead for the first innings.
Vidarbha made 375/9 in the second innings when they were declared. Karun Nair struck a century (135 off 295 balls) and Malewar scored 73. The match went into a draw, but Vidarbha had a big advantage in the first innings and so they won the title.
Match Details
| Detail | Information |
| Tournament | Ranji Trophy 2024-25 |
| Match | Final |
| Teams | Vidarbha vs Kerala |
| Date | February 26 to March 2, 2025 |
| Venue | Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur |
| Toss | Kerala elected to field |
| Result | Match drawn |
| Title winner | Vidarbha |
| Player of the Match | Danish Malewar |
| Player of the Series | Harsh Dubey |
The official BCCI match centre also features the fixture as the Ranji Trophy final that runs from February 26 to March 2.
Vidarbha Cricket Team vs Kerala Cricket Team Match Scorecard
Vidarbha scored a respectable first innings performance against Kerala and had a great second innings effort in the Vidarbha cricket team vs Kerala cricket team match scorecard.
Vidarbha First Innings: 379 All Out
Vidarbha’s first innings got off to a bad start but Danish Malewar came to their rescue and turned the table. The kid batsman got a great 153 from 285 balls, having hit 15 fours and three sixes.
Karun Nair also had a good knock of 86 runs off 188 balls. Malewar’s sidekick worked well with Vidarbha and enabled him to create a competitive total.
Vidarbha finally hit 379 but was bowled out in 123.1 overs. MD Nidheesh was one of the top fees for Kerala, who won 3/61 in 28.1 overs. Eden Apple Tom also scalped three wickets to finish with 3/102.
- Vidarbha: 379 all out in 123.1 overs
- Danish Malewar: 153
- Karun Nair: 86
- MD Nidheesh: 3/61
- Eden Apple Tom: 3/102
- Kerala First Innings: 342 All Out
Kerala had to punch above their weight to beat Vidarbha. Sachin Baby got the job done with a patient 98 from 235 deliveries. He was just short of a hundred, but was removed before he reached three digits.
Butterfly was joined by Aditya Sarwate who had a decent knock, getting 79 from 185 deliveries. Other Kerala batters gave lesser scores but the team failed to exceed Vidarbha’s score.
Vidarbha were later bowled out for 372 in 139 overs as Kerala were bowled out with 342 in 125 overs. Both Parth Rekhade and Darshan Nalkande have taken three wickets each for Vidarbha.
- Kerala: 342 all out in 125 overs
- Sachin Baby: 98
- Aditya Sarwate: 79
- Parth Rekhade: 3/65
- Darshan Nalkande: 3/52
- Harsh Dubey: 3/88
The 37-run gap was crucial as a drawn-out Ranji Trophy final would have provided the first-innings team with the victory.
Vidarbha Second Innings: 375/9 Declared
Vidarbha came back to the wicket with a convenient lead and was clearly at an advantage. Karun Nair came up with one of his best innings of the penultimate over with a 135 from 295 balls.
Denish Malewar, who scored 73 off 162 balls, came to Nair’s rescue. Vidarbha had made a big lead and brought Kerala under pressure with their batting.
Vidarbha scored 375/9 after 143.5 overs. Aditya Sarwate was the best bowler for Kerala, picking up 4/96 in 44.5 overs.
Vidarbha: 375/9 declared in 143.5 overs
- Karun Nair: 135
- Danish Malewar: 73
- Aditya Sarwate: 4/96
Key Batting Performances
In the match, Danish Malewar came up with the biggest batting contribution for Vidarbha. He started his first innings with 153 to help Vidarbha build a good total. He then scored 73 in the second innings. His combined effort helped Vidarbha to take the first innings lead, and dominate the match.
Another huge contributor was Karun Nair. After making 86 in the first innings, he scored 135 in the second innings. His second innings of 101 got Vidarbha shooting off to a flying start.
Sachin Baby’s 98 in the first innings was the highlight of the game for Kerala. His extended waiting on the crease kept Kerala close to Vidarbha’s score. Aditya Sarwate’s 79 also helped Kerala to score some runs.
Key Bowling Performances
The bowling duel also was a crucial one. MD Nidheesh struck first in Kerala’s attack in Vidarbha’s first innings with a wicket for 3/61. Eden Apple Tom also took three wickets.
There were two half-centuries for Vidarbha as he and Parth Rekhade each claimed three wickets in 100 balls on the opening 400-run side in Kerala’s first innings.In the first 400-run inning, Vidarbha found his half century partner as he and Parth Rekhade took three wickets apiece. Harsh Dubey also picked up three wickets for 88 runs.
Aditya Sarwate took over Kerala’s top bowler title in Vidarbha’s second innings. His 4/96 was his best bowling of the innings. But Kerala failed to alter the outcome as Vidarbha had a big first-innings lead.
How the Match Unfolded
After winning the toss, Kerala started their final with their strategy. Vidarbha was at a loss initially, but Malewar and Nair were able to come up with a recovery to 379.
Sachin Baby and Aditya Sarwate were at the helm of Kerala’s response. 98 was very special for baby’s and Kerala was 342 with a 37-run deficit.
That first innings’ dominance proved to be the deciding factor of the game. Vidarbha then began to concentrate on securing a safe lead, instead of unnecessary risks. With a 135 and a 73 respectively, Karun Nair and Malewar helped Vidarbha cross the 375 mark in the second innings.
No one could blame Kerala, as they didn’t get sufficient time to bridge the gap and secure a decisive triumph. It concluded with a draw, though the final regulations of the Ranji Trophy meant that Vidarbha had been declared champion as they led in the first innings.
Vidarbha vs Kerala Head-to-Head
Vidarbha and Kerala have played each other in the domestic cricket tournament of India on several occasions in the country such as Ranji Trophy. For the sake of 2024-25, they had a final, so that was a very significant meeting for them.
The 2025 final was also of added importance for Kerala as it was the first Ranji Trophy final in their history. Vidarbha, meanwhile, managed to win their third Ranji Trophy with the draw.
| Match | Competition | Venue | Result |
| Feb 2025 | Ranji Trophy Final | Nagpur | Draw, Vidarbha won on first innings |
| Feb 2020 | Ranji Trophy | Nagpur | Draw |
| Nov 2019 | Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy | Bengaluru | Kerala won by 26 runs |
| Jan 2019 | Ranji Trophy | Wayanad | Vidarbha won by an innings and 11 runs |
The head-to-head record may differ if only first class games are considered or all domestic formats, readers are asked to check the competition and format when comparing previous meetings.
Final Word
Vidarbha and Kerala Ranji Trophy final went down to the wire in the first innings. Then Vidarbha scored 379 and Kerala replied in the tune with 342 and Vidarbha declared at 375/9. The match went down to a draw, but Vidarbha went on to win the championship due to their 37-run first innings lead. Vidarbha’s top batters were Danish Malewar and Karun Nair while Sachin Baby and Aditya Sarwate provided key support for Kerala.
FAQs
1. What was the result of the Vidarbha vs Kerala Ranji Trophy final?
The battle came out a draw in Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur. Vidarbha did claim the Ranji Trophy title though as they finished with a 37-run first innings lead over Kerala.
2. Vidarbha scored against which team?
Vidarbha were all out for 379 runs in their first innings. They then scored 375/9 in the second innings.
3. What was Kerala’s score against Vidarbha?
Kerala were all out after 342 runs in their first innings. Sachin Baby scored their highest goal with 98 and Aditya Sarwate added 79. Vidarbha scored 37 runs in the first innings.
4. Who scored the most runs for Vidarbha?
Vidarbha’s top scorer in the first innings was Danish Malewar who scored 153 runs. Following this was a 135 by Karun Nair in the second innings.
5. Who is the Player of the Match between Vidarbha and Kerala?
Danish Malewar was adjudged Player of the Match. He scored 153 runs in the first innings and 73 runs in the second innings of Vidarbha.
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