Vidarbha Cricket Team vs Kerala Cricket Team Match Scorecard

Cricket fans across India witnessed something truly special in February 2025. The Ranji Trophy final brought together two amazing stories that nobody saw coming.

On one side was Vidarbha, the home team looking for their third title after heartbreak the year before. On the other side stood Kerala, making history by reaching their very first final.

This wasn’t just any ordinary match. It was five days of pure cricket drama that kept everyone on the edge of their seats.

The Vidarbha cricket team vs Kerala cricket team match scorecard tells a story of young talents rising up, experienced players showing their class, and captains leading with quiet determination.

What made this final even more exciting was that it ended in a draw, but Vidarbha still won the trophy.

How? They scored just 37 more runs in their first innings than Kerala. In cricket’s rules, that tiny lead was enough to crown them champions when the match couldn’t finish with a clear winner.

Vidarbha Cricket Team vs Kerala Cricket Team Match Scorecard

The match happened at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur from February 26 to March 2, 2025. Every single day brought new twists and turns.

Whether you love cricket statistics or just enjoy a good sports story, this final had everything you could ask for.

Setting the Stage: Why This Match Mattered So Much

Before we dive into the exciting scorecard details, let’s understand why this match was so important for both teams.

Vidarbha’s Journey to the Final

Vidarbha isn’t one of those big cricket powerhouses like Mumbai or Karnataka. They’re the underdog team that surprised everyone by winning back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019. But last season was painful – they lost the final to Mumbai and everyone felt heartbroken.

Captain Akshay Wadkar promised his team they would come back stronger. And boy, did they deliver! Here’s how amazing their season was:

• Six wins out of seven in the group stage
• Easy victories over Tamil Nadu and Mumbai in the knockouts
• Yash Rathod became the season’s top run-scorer with 960 runs
• Harsh Dubey broke records by taking the most wickets in any Ranji season

Kerala’s Historic Achievement

Kerala’s story is even more special. This southern state had never reached a Ranji Trophy final before. In Kerala, people usually talk more about football and volleyball than cricket. So reaching this final was like winning the lottery for them.

Led by the calm and steady Sachin Baby, Kerala shocked everyone by:

• Topping their group against tough competition
• Beating strong teams like Saurashtra in the knockouts
• Bringing together players like Basil Thampi (swing bowling expert) and Jalaj Saxena (mystery spinner)

For Kerala fans, just reaching the final was already a massive victory. Winning it would have been absolutely legendary.

The Full Vidarbha Cricket Team vs Kerala Cricket Team Match Scorecard: At a Glance

Here’s the complete breakdown of how both teams performed across all five days. This table shows you everything you need to know about the vidarbha cricket team vs kerala cricket team match scorecard:

Innings	Team	Total Score	Overs Bowled	Run Rate	Key Partnerships
1st Innings	Vidarbha	379 all out	123.1	3.07	Malewar & Nair: 215 runs
1st Innings	Kerala	342 all out	125.0	2.73	Baby & Sarwate: 80 runs
2nd Innings	Vidarbha	375/9 declared	143.5	2.61	Nair’s unbeaten 135
2nd Innings	Kerala	98/5 (incomplete)	Match drawn	–	Chase abandoned

Match Result: Draw – Vidarbha won by 37-run first innings lead

Key Match Facts:

• Player of the Match: Karun Nair (86 & 135 not out)
• Toss: Kerala won and chose to bowl first
• Venue: VCA Jamtha Stadium, Nagpur
• Attendance: Packed stadium with loud “Veedarbha!” chants

Day 1: Vidarbha’s Solid Start – Setting the Tone

The match began with Kerala winning the toss. Captain Sachin Baby made a bold decision – he chose to bowl first on what looked like a good batting pitch. This move seemed smart because their fast bowlers could use the fresh pitch conditions.

Morning Session – Steady Beginning

Vidarbha’s opening pair of Yash Rathod and Dhruv Shorey came out to face Kerala’s attack. The crowd was buzzing with excitement as local hero Basil Thampi ran in to bowl the first ball.

• Rathod looked comfortable right away, hitting four beautiful boundaries in his first 20 balls
• Thampi bowled with great swing, but the Vidarbha openers handled it well
• By lunch, Vidarbha had reached 90 runs for 2 wickets

Afternoon Session – Building the Foundation

After lunch, things got more interesting. Rathod fell for 38 runs when he accidentally hit the ball onto his own stumps. But then something magical happened.

Karun Nair, the former India player, walked in and immediately looked like he belonged there. Along with Shorey, he began rebuilding Vidarbha’s innings with:

• Patient shot selection against the fast bowlers
• Smart running between the wickets
• Careful playing of Kerala’s spinners

Evening Session – Young Star Emerges

The day’s most exciting moment came when Danish Malewar joined Nair at the crease. This 21-year-old had been making headlines all season, and now he was playing in his first Ranji Trophy final.

By the end of Day 1:

• Vidarbha finished at 254/4
• Malewar was unbeaten on 73 runs
• Nair was unbeaten on 68 runs
• The home crowd went to bed very happy

Day 2: Malewar’s Magic and Kerala’s Fightback

Day 2 started with morning mist covering the ground, making conditions perfect for bowling. Kerala’s team felt this was their chance to fight back and take control of the match.

Malewar’s Career-Best Performance

The young star Malewar continued from where he left off on Day 1. What happened next was pure cricket magic:

• He converted his overnight fifty into a career-best 153 runs
• Hit 15 boundaries and 1 six with perfect timing
• Added 215 runs with Karun Nair for the fifth wicket (a new record!)
• His footwork against Kerala’s spinners was absolutely beautiful to watch

Nair’s Supporting Act

While Malewar was playing his shots, Nair provided the perfect support. The experienced batsman showed why he once played for India by:

• Playing with monk-like patience
• Rotating the strike expertly
• Scoring a valuable 86 runs before getting out

Kerala’s Bowling Efforts

Kerala’s bowlers worked really hard but couldn’t stop the Vidarbha partnership. Their key performers were:

• Eden Apple Tom: Took 3 wickets for 101 runs with his pace bowling
• Aditya Sarwate: Used his experience to clean up the tail
• Basil Thampi: Kept things tight with his swing bowling

Vidarbha finished their first innings at 379 all out in 123.1 overs – a strong total that put pressure on Kerala.

Kerala’s Reply Begins

When Kerala came out to bat, they needed to be careful against Vidarbha’s bowling attack. Unfortunately, things didn’t start well:

• Lost their first wicket with only 15 runs on the board
• The second wicket fell at 48 runs
• Finished Day 2 at 131/3, still 248 runs behind

Day 3: The First-Innings Thriller – Lead Secured by a Whisker

Day 3 was when the match really came alive. Both teams knew that whoever performed better on this day would probably win the championship.

Kerala’s Brave Batting Display

Kerala’s batsmen showed real character on Day 3. Sachin Baby led from the front with an incredible display of concentration and skill.

Baby’s Near-Century:

• Scored 98 runs from 234 balls
• Showed the concentration of a world-class player
• Unfortunately, I got out just 2 runs short of a well-deserved century
• His dismissal was the turning point of Kerala’s innings

Other Kerala Contributions:

• Aditya Sarwate: Made 79 valuable runs with gritty determination
• Jalaj Saxena: Contributed 28 useful runs lower down the order
• The pair of Baby and Sarwate added 80 runs for the fourth wicket

Vidarbha’s Spin Attack Dominates

Vidarbha’s spin bowlers were the real heroes on Day 3. They used the wearing pitch perfectly:

Harsh Dubey’s Record-Breaking Performance:

• Took 3 wickets for 88 runs
• Achieved his 50th wicket of the season
• Set a new record for most wickets in any Ranji Trophy season
• His wrist-spin was unplayable at times

Parth Rekhade’s Supporting Role:

• Grabbed 3 wickets for 65 runs
• His spin bowling complemented Dubey perfectly
• Took crucial middle-order wickets

Kerala was bowled out for 342 runs in 125 overs, giving Vidarbha a 37-run first innings lead. In cricket’s rules, this small lead would prove to be worth its weight in gold.

Day 4: Vidarbha’s Second Act – Nair’s Masterclass

With a precious 37-run lead in their pocket, Vidarbha came out for their second innings knowing they were in the driver’s seat. Their plan was simple: bat big and bat Kerala out of the game.

Early Wickets Keep Things Interesting

Kerala’s bowlers weren’t ready to give up without a fight. They struck back early in Vidarbha’s second innings:

• Basil Thampi removed Shorey for 28 runs
• Eden Apple Tom got Rathod out for 45 runs
• Suddenly, Vidarbha was under a bit of pressure

Nair’s Second Innings Masterpiece

This is where Karun Nair showed why he’s considered one of India’s most talented batsmen. His second innings performance was absolutely spectacular:

• Started carefully and built his innings slowly
• Reached his hundred with a beautiful cover drive
• Remained unbeaten on 132 at the end of Day 4
• His partnership with Wadkar steadied the ship perfectly

Building the Lead

By the end of Day 4, Vidarbha had built its position beautifully:

• Team score: 249/4
• Overall lead: 286 runs
• Kerala needed something special on the final day

The crowd went home knowing their team was in a great position to win their third Ranji Trophy title.

Day 5: Declaration, Drama, and the Trophy Lift

The final day arrived with everyone knowing this was going to be special. Vidarbha needed to score enough runs to make sure Kerala couldn’t chase down their target.

Morning Session – Building the Fortress

Nair continued his magnificent batting display, supported well by the middle and lower order. Key contributions came from:

• Darshan Nalkande: 22 valuable runs
• Yash Thakur: 18 runs to push the lead forward
• Various partnerships that frustrated Kerala’s bowlers

The Declaration

With time running out and the lead building nicely, captain Akshay Wadkar made the bold decision to declare Vidarbha’s second innings at 375/9. This left Kerala needing 413 runs to win in about 60 overs – an almost impossible task.

Nair’s Final Flourish:

• Finished unbeaten on 135 runs
• Faced 295 balls in total
• Hit boundaries all around the ground
• Richly deserved the Player of the Match award

Kerala’s Impossible Chase

Kerala knew they probably couldn’t win, but they had to try for the sake of their supporters. Their chase began aggressively but quickly fell apart:

• Lost 3 wickets for only 50 runs by tea time
• Finished at 98/5 when the umpires called off play
• Harsh Dubey and Parth Rekhade shared the wickets

Trophy Celebration

As the final ball was bowled and the match was declared a draw, Vidarbha players rushed onto the field in celebration. They had won their third Ranji Trophy title by the smallest possible margin – just 37 runs from the first innings.

Captain Wadkar lifted the trophy from BCCI President Roger Binny while thousands of fans chanted “Veedarbha!” in the stands.

Key Performers: Stars Who Shone Brightest

Every great match has its heroes, and this vidarbha cricket team vs kerala cricket team match scorecard shows us several players who will be remembered forever.

Vidarbha’s Match Winners

Player	Role	1st Innings	2nd Innings	Key Contribution
Karun Nair	Batsman	86 runs	135* runs	Player of the Match
Danish Malewar	Batsman	153 runs	40 runs	Career-best performance
Harsh Dubey	Spinner	3/88	Wickets in 2nd	Season record holder
Yash Rathod	Opener	38 runs	45 runs	Season’s top scorer

Kerala’s Brave Warriors

Player	Role	Performance	Impact
Sachin Baby	Captain/Batsman	98 runs	Led by example
Aditya Sarwate	All-rounder	79 runs + bowling	Fought till the end
Basil Thampi	Fast Bowler	Key wickets	Troubled Vidarbha batsmen
Eden Apple Tom	Fast Bowler	3/101	Best bowling figures

Special Mentions:

• Harsh Dubey: Created history with 52 wickets in the season – most ever in Ranji Trophy
• Danish Malewar: At just 21 years old, he announced himself as a future star
• Sachin Baby: Despite losing, his leadership and batting were inspirational

What We Learned: Cricket’s Beautiful Lessons

This amazing final taught us several important lessons about cricket and life in general.

The Power of Domestic Cricket

The Ranji Trophy shows us why domestic cricket is so important for any country:

• Young talents get opportunities to prove themselves on big stages
• Experienced players can show their class when it matters most
• Different states can compete equally regardless of their cricket history
• Dreams become reality for players from smaller cricket centers

Team Building Excellence

Both teams showed us different approaches to building successful cricket teams:

Vidarbha’s Strategy:

• Mix young academy graduates with experienced professionals
• Focus on developing local talent like Malewar and Dubey
• Create a family-like atmosphere where everyone supports each other
• Trust in players even when they face difficult situations

Kerala’s Approach:

• Bring together players from different backgrounds
• Focus on team unity and fighting spirit
• Never give up attitude, even when things look impossible
• Pride in representing their state for the first time

Mental Strength Under Pressure

The match showed us how important mental strength is in cricket:

• Nair’s patience: Played 295 balls in the second innings without getting out
• Baby’s concentration: Batted for over 3 hours in challenging conditions
• Malewar’s confidence: Didn’t get nervous playing his first final
• Team composure: Both teams handled pressure situations well

Cricket Statistics and Records

This match created several new records and achievements that cricket fans will remember:

New Records Set:

• Harsh Dubey: Most wickets (52) in a single Ranji Trophy season
• Malewar-Nair partnership: 215 runs – highest for Vidarbha’s 5th wicket
• Kerala’s achievement: First-ever Ranji Trophy final appearance
• Closest final: Won by just 37 runs, first innings lead

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How did Vidarbha win if the match was drawn?

A: In first-class cricket, if a match ends in a draw, the team with the higher first innings score wins. Vidarbha scored 379 while Kerala made 342, giving Vidarbha a 37-run lead.

• Q: Why is this Kerala’s first Ranji Trophy final?

A: Kerala has traditionally been stronger in other sports like football. Their cricket infrastructure developed later, and this was their breakthrough season.

• Q: What made Danish Malewar’s performance so special?

A: At just 21 years old, Malewar scored 153 runs in his first Ranji Trophy final. His partnership with Nair was crucial in setting up Vidarbha’s victory.

• Q: How important was Karun Nair’s performance?

A: Nair’s 86 and 135* were match-winning knocks. His experience and class were evident in both innings, earning him the Player of the Match award.

• Q: What does this victory mean for Vidarbha cricket?

A: This is Vidarbha’s third Ranji Trophy title, establishing them as one of India’s premier domestic cricket teams despite not being a traditional powerhouse.

Wrapping Up: Why This Final Will Linger

As the celebrations died down and players shook hands, everyone realized they had witnessed something truly special. This Vidarbha cricket team vs Kerala cricket team match scorecard will be studied and remembered for years to come.

What Made This Final Special:

• Two underdog stories coming together on the biggest stage
• Amazing individual performances from players like Nair, Malewar, and Baby
• Record-breaking achievements by bowlers like Harsh Dubey
• Pure cricket drama that kept everyone engaged for five full days
• Closest possible margin of victory – just 37 runs

The Bigger Picture:

This final reminded us why we love cricket so much. It’s not just about big international matches or IPL glamour. Sometimes, the most beautiful cricket stories come from domestic competitions where players are fighting for their dreams and their state’s pride.

• For Vidarbha, this title means they’ve joined the elite group of successful domestic teams. Their combination of young talent and experienced leadership has created a winning formula.
• For Kerala, reaching the final was already a historic achievement. They’ve shown that with proper planning and team spirit, any state can compete with the traditional cricket powers.
• For cricket fans everywhere, this match was a reminder of why the Ranji Trophy remains India’s most important domestic competition. It’s where careers are made, dreams are fulfilled, and the future stars of Indian cricket are born.

The scorecard might show just numbers – 379, 342, 375/9 – but behind those numbers are stories of determination, skill, heartbreak, and ultimately, triumph. That’s what makes cricket the beautiful game that captures hearts across India and around the world.

Reference Links for Cricket Fans:

• BCCI Official Website
  – Latest cricket news and scores
• ESPN Cricinfo – Detailed match analysis and statistics
• ICC Official Site – International cricket updates and rankings
• Winners Zine – Latest Cricket Updates