Vidarbha clinch third Ranji title with first-inngs lead

Nagpur: Vidarbha clinched their third Ranji Trophy title on the strength of a decisive first innings lead after the final against Kerala ended in a draw on Sunday.

The hosts had all but secured the championship with an authoritative display over the past four days, before formalising their triumph in the final session when both teams shook hands.

Vidarbha's second innings was anchored by Karun Nair (135), who brought up his ninth century of the season. Kerala’s bowlers made inroads into the lower order, but Vidarbha’s tailenders stretched the lead past the 400-run mark, effectively ruling out any possibility of a turnaround.

With only one session remaining and an improbable target to chase, Kerala had little choice but to settle for a draw. Vidarbha’s first-innings advantage, built on Danish Malewar’s century and a crucial knock from Nair, proved to be the defining factor in the title contest.

Vidarbha’s bowlers, led by Aditya Sarwate, exerted pressure on Kerala throughout the match. Sachin Baby, Kerala’s skipper, fought valiantly in the first innings, falling just short of a century, but his dismissal shifted the momentum decisively in favour of the hosts.

Vidarbha captain Akshay Wadkar lifted the coveted Ranji Trophy in the presence of BCCI President Roger Binny, as jubilant celebrations erupted among players and fans alike. The victory capped off an impressive season for the side, with Yash Rathod and Nair playing key roles in their batting dominance. Nair, in particular, stood out with consistent performances across both red-ball and limited-overs formats.

Kerala, despite an impressive campaign that saw them notch up hard-fought wins in the knockout stages, fell at the final hurdle. Their spirited performances throughout the season, however, earned them widespread acclaim.