Vidarbha Cricket Team vs Kerala Cricket Team Match Scorecard

Cricket fans across India witnessed something truly special in February 2025.

The Ranji Trophy final between Vidarbha and Kerala wasn’t just another match – it was a story of dreams, determination, and pure sporting drama.

This Vidarbha cricket team vs Kerala cricket team match scorecard tells the tale of five unforgettable days that kept millions glued to their screens.

Vidarbha, the home heroes from Nagpur, were chasing their third title after a heartbreaking loss the previous year.

They had the pressure of playing at home and the weight of expectations on their shoulders.

Kerala, on the other hand, was making history by reaching its first-ever Ranji Trophy final. They came with nothing to lose and everything to gain.

The match ended in a draw, but Vidarbha lifted the trophy thanks to their crucial 37-run first-innings lead.

Vidarbha Cricket Team vs Kerala Cricket Team Match Scorecard

This narrow margin made it one of the closest finals in recent memory. Young stars like Danish Malewar announced themselves on the big stage, while veterans like Karun Nair showed why experience matters in pressure situations.

What made this match special wasn’t just the cricket – it was the human stories behind every run, every wicket, and every moment of brilliance that unfolded at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur.

Setting the Stage: Why This Match Mattered So Much

Understanding why this final was so important requires looking at both teams’ journeys to reach this stage.

Vidarbha’s Path to Glory:

• Won back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019
• Suffered a crushing defeat to Mumbai in the previous year’s final
• Dominated the group stage with 6 wins out of 7 matches
• Knocked out strong teams like Tamil Nadu and Mumbai in the knockouts
• Led by captain Akshay Wadkar with his calm leadership style

Kerala’s Historic Journey:

• First-ever appearance in a Ranji Trophy final
• Topped their group against all expectations
• Defeated heavyweights like Saurashtra in the knockouts
• Represented a state where football and volleyball are more popular than cricket
• Captain Sachin Baby led with quiet determination

The venue choice was perfect – VCA Jamtha Stadium in Nagpur, known for its true-bouncing pitch that rewards patient batting. Kerala won the toss and chose to bowl first, a decision that would shape the entire match.

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

Here’s the complete breakdown of how the match unfolded across five dramatic days:

Innings	Team	Score	Overs	Run Rate	Result
1st Innings	Vidarbha	379/10	123.1	3.07	–
1st Innings	Kerala	342/10	125.0	2.73	37 runs behind
2nd Innings	Vidarbha	375/9 (declared)	143.5	2.61	–
2nd Innings	Kerala	98/5 (match drawn)	–	–	Match drawn

Match Result: Vidarbha won on first innings lead (37 runs) Player of the Match: Karun Nair (86 & 135*) Venue: VCA Jamtha Stadium, Nagpur Toss: Kerala elected to field first

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

The opening day set the perfect foundation for what would become an epic encounter.

Morning Session Highlights:

• Kerala’s decision to bowl first looked smart on a green-tinged pitch
• Basil Thampi and MD Nidheesh bowled with swing and precision
• Yash Rathod started aggressively with elegant drives
• Vidarbha reached lunch at 90/2, losing both openers

Afternoon Rebuilding:

• Dhruv Shorey and Karun Nair steadied the ship
• Shorey played aggressively but safely, scoring 52 before edging to slip
• Danish Malewar joined Nair and immediately looked comfortable
• The partnership began to frustrate Kerala’s bowling attack

End of Day 1:

• Vidarbha: 254/4 (Malewar 73*, Nair 68*)
• Jalaj Saxena’s spin created pressure, but the couldn’t break the partnership
• The crowd’s energy was electric, with families creating a festival atmosphere
• Kerala’s bowlers rotated well but couldn’t capitalize on early breakthroughs

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

The second day belonged to young Danish Malewar, who announced himself as a future star.

Malewar’s Masterclass:

• Converted his overnight 73 into a career-best 153 runs
• Hit 15 boundaries and 1 six with perfect timing
• Added 215 runs with Nair for the 5th wicket (a record partnership)
• His footwork against spin bowling was poetry in motion

Kerala’s Response:

• Eden Apple Tom grabbed 3 wickets for 101 runs
• Aditya Sarwate (playing for Kerala) trapped the tail effectively
• Vidarbha bowled out for 379 in 123.1 overs
• A competitive total, but not unbeatable on this pitch

Kerala’s Reply Begins:

• Started poorly with both openers falling cheaply
• 15/1 and 48/2 put immediate pressure on the batting lineup
• Sarwate and Baby began the recovery process
• Ended at 131/3, still trailing by 248 runs

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

Day 3 was pure drama as Kerala fought hard but fell just short of taking the lead.

Kerala’s Batting Effort:

• Sachin Baby played like a true captain, scoring 98 runs
• His 234-ball innings showed incredible patience and concentration
• Sanoop added valuable runs before falling for 32
• The middle order showed fight but couldn’t capitalize on starts

Vidarbha’s Bowling Excellence:

• Parth Rekhade spun a web with 3 wickets for 65 runs
• Harsh Dubey broke records by taking his 50th wicket of the season
• The spinners used the pitch conditions perfectly
• Darshan Nalkande’s bouncer removed the dangerous Sarwate

The Crucial Moments:

• Baby’s dismissal, 56 runs short of a century, was heartbreaking
• He charged Rekhade and skied the ball to Nair at deep midwicket
• Kerala dismissed for 342, giving Vidarbha a 37-run lead
• Small margins that would prove decisive in determining the champions

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

With the precious first-innings lead secured, Vidarbha aimed to bat Kerala out of the match.

Building the Lead:

• Rathod and Shorey started cautiously in the second innings
• Kerala struck back through Thampi and Apple Tom
• Both openers fell for modest scores, bringing Nair back to the crease
• Wadkar joined Nair, and they ground out runs patiently

Nair’s Second Innings Brilliance:

• Showed why experience matters in high-pressure situations
• Reached 100 runs with typical class and composure
• Was 132 not out at stumps with Vidarbha at 249/4
• The lead had grown to 286 runs, putting Kerala under severe pressure

Kerala’s Bowling Struggles:

• Saxena toiled hard but managed only 1 wicket for 80 runs
• The pitch had eased out, making batting much more comfortable
• A review overturned Rathod’s lbw decision, adding to Kerala’s frustration
• The bowlers were running out of ideas against Nair’s solid technique

Day 5: Declaration, Drama, and the Trophy Lift

The final day brought the culmination of five days of intense cricket.

Vidarbha’s Declaration:

• Nair continued his masterful innings, reaching 135 not out
• Wadkar declared at 375/9, setting Kerala 413 runs to win
• The target was impossible in the remaining time
• Nair’s unbeaten 135 came off 295 balls – a true masterclass

Kerala’s Chase:

• Started aggressively, knowing they needed quick runs
• Dubey and Rekhade struck early to dent their hopes
• Reached 98/5 at stumps when the umpires called off play
• The chase was brave but ultimately futile

Trophy Celebration:

• Vidarbha won their third Ranji Trophy title
• Wadkar lifted the trophy from BCCI’s Roger Binny
• “Veedarbha!” chants filled the stadium as fans celebrated
• Kerala walked away proud despite the defeat

Key Performers: Stars Who Shone Brightest

Several players made this final memorable with their outstanding performances:

Top Performers Table:

Player	Team	Runs	Wickets	Key Contribution
Karun Nair	Vidarbha	86 & 135*	–	Player of the Match
Danish Malewar	Vidarbha	153 & 40	–	Record 5th wicket partnership
Harsh Dubey	Vidarbha	–	3/88 & season record 52	Most wickets in Ranji season
Sachin Baby	Kerala	98 & –	–	Captain’s knock, 56 short of century
Aditya Sarwate	Kerala	79 & –	bowling figures	All-round performance

Outstanding Individual Achievements:

• Karun Nair – Proved his class with two crucial innings
• Danish Malewar – At 21, he announced himself as a future star
• Harsh Dubey – Broke the record for most wickets in a Ranji season
• Sachin Baby – Led Kerala with courage and determination
• Yash Rathod – Season’s top run-scorer with 960 runs

What We Learned: Cricket’s Beautiful Lessons

This final taught us several important lessons about cricket and life:

Team Building Lessons:

• Vidarbha’s success came from blending youth with experience
• Academy kids like Malewar combined perfectly with veterans like Nair
• Kerala proved that underdogs can achieve the impossible
• Strong domestic systems create future stars

Match-Winning Factors:

• Small margins (37 runs) can decide championships
• Patient batting beats aggressive bowling on good pitches
• Dropped catches and missed chances cost Kerala dearly
• Mental strength in pressure situations separates winners from losers

Cricket Development:

• Domestic cricket remains India’s real breeding ground
• State cricket associations are producing quality players
• Ranji Trophy continues to be the backbone of Indian cricket
• Every first-class player dreams of moments like these

Wrapping Up: Why This Final Will Linger

The Vidarbha cricket team vs Kerala cricket team match scorecard represents much more than numbers on paper. It’s a story of dreams realized and hearts broken, of young talent emerging and veterans showing their class.

Why This Match Matters:

• Vidarbha’s third title cemented its status as a cricket powerhouse
• Kerala’s journey inspired millions in God’s Own Country
• The 37-run margin was the smallest possible winning margin
• Five days of cricket showcased the beauty of the longest format

Key Takeaways:

• 379, 342, 375/9 – these numbers will be remembered forever
• Draws can be thrilling when trophies are decided by first-innings leads
• Domestic cricket produces heroes that inspire generations
• Nagpur proved to be the perfect stage for this epic final

For cricket fans everywhere, this match reminded us why we love this beautiful game. Every boundary, every wicket, every moment of brilliance contributed to a story that will be told for years to come.

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

This vidarbha cricket team vs kerala cricket team match scorecard will forever remain a testament to the fact that in cricket, as in life, it’s not just about winning or losing – it’s about the journey, the effort, and the memories created along the way.