Cricket is more than just a game in India – it’s pure emotion. When two underdog teams clash in the biggest domestic tournament, magic happens.
The Ranji Trophy final between Vidarbha and Kerala was exactly that kind of special moment.
A crisp February morning in Nagpur, thousands of fans cheering, and two teams fighting for cricket’s most precious domestic prize.
This wasn’t just any match. Vidarbha, the home heroes, wanted their third title after losing heartbreakingly the previous year.
Kerala made history just by reaching their first-ever final.
What followed over five thrilling days was pure cricket drama – nail-biting moments, brilliant performances, and a finish that had everyone talking.
The Vidarbha cricket team vs Kerala cricket team match scorecard tells an incredible story.
From Danish Malewar’s breakout century to Karun Nair’s masterful comeback, every number has meaning.
Contents
- 1 Vidarbha Cricket Team vs Kerala Cricket Team Match Scorecard
- 1.1 Setting the Stage: Why This Match Mattered So Much
- 1.2 The Full Vidarbha Cricket Team vs Kerala Cricket Team Match Scorecard: At a Glance
- 1.3 Day 1: Vidarbha’s Solid Start – Setting the Tone
- 1.4 Day 2: Malewar’s Magic and Kerala’s Fightback
- 1.5 Day 3: The First-Innings Thriller – Lead Secured by a Whisker
- 1.6 Day 4: Vidarbha’s Second Act – Nair’s Masterclass
- 1.7 Day 5: Declaration, Drama, and the Trophy Lift
- 1.8 Key Performers: Stars Who Shone Brightest
- 1.9 What We Learned: Cricket’s Beautiful Lessons
- 1.10 Wrapping Up: Why This Final Will Linger
Vidarbha Cricket Team vs Kerala Cricket Team Match Scorecard
This match ended in a draw, but Vidarbha lifted the trophy thanks to their first-innings lead. It was the closest possible margin – just 37 runs separated glory from heartbreak.
Whether you love cricket statistics or just enjoy great sporting stories, this complete breakdown will make you feel like you were sitting in the stadium, cheering with thousands of passionate fans.
Setting the Stage: Why This Match Mattered So Much
Before diving into the action, let’s understand what made this final so special. Vidarbha isn’t your typical cricket powerhouse like Mumbai or Karnataka. They’re the scrappy underdogs from Maharashtra’s heartland who shocked everyone by winning back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019.
Vidarbha’s Journey to the Final:
- Six wins out of seven in the group stage
- Knockout victories over Tamil Nadu and Mumbai
- Led by Captain Akshay Wadkar, seeking redemption
- Star opener Yash Rathod scored 960 runs in the season
- Harsh Dubey broke records with the most wickets in Ranji history
Kerala’s story was even more remarkable. This cricket-loving state from South India had never reached a Ranji Trophy final before. Football and volleyball usually steal the spotlight there, making their cricket success extra special.
Kerala’s Historic Path:
- Topped their group against all odds
- Defeated heavyweights like Saurashtra
- Captain Sachin Baby led with calm leadership
- Balanced attack featuring Basil Thampi and Jalaj Saxena
- Represented the dreams of an entire cricket community
The venue was perfect – VCA Jamtha in Nagpur, Vidarbha’s fortress. The pitch offered true bounce and rewarded patient batting. When Kerala won the toss and chose to bowl first, they set the stage for an unforgettable contest.
The Full Vidarbha Cricket Team vs Kerala Cricket Team Match Scorecard: At a Glance
Here’s the complete breakdown of this historic final. Vidarbha batted first, scored 379, then bowled Kerala out for 342. That 37-run first-innings lead proved to be the difference between winning and losing the trophy.
| Innings | Team | Score | Overs | Extras | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Innings | Vidarbha | 379/10 | 123.1 | 16 | All out |
| 1st Innings | Kerala | 342/10 | 125.0 | 14 | Trail by 37 |
| 2nd Innings | Vidarbha | 375/9 (dec) | 143.5 | 18 | Declared |
| 2nd Innings | Kerala | Did not bat | – | – | Match drawn |
- Match Result: Draw – Vidarbha won on first-innings lead
- Player of the Match: Karun Nair (86 & 135*)
- Toss: Kerala elected to field first
Key Fall of Wickets – Vidarbha 1st Innings:
- 20/1 (Rathod 8.4 overs)
- 43/2 (Shorey 19.2 overs)
- 254/4 (Wadkar 81.5 overs)
- 292/5 (Malewar 98.3 overs)
- 379/10 (Dubey 123.1 overs)
Key Fall of Wickets – Kerala 1st Innings:
- 15/1 (Rohhan 5.1 overs)
- 48/2 (Azharuddeen 22.3 overs)
- 131/3 (Sanoop 54.2 overs)
- 285/5 (Baby 107.1 overs)
- 342/10 (Thampi 125 overs)
Day 1: Vidarbha’s Solid Start – Setting the Tone
Kerala captain Sachin Baby won the toss and decided to bowl first. It looked smart – fresh pitch with some grass, perfect for seam bowlers. But Vidarbha’s openers had different plans.
Yash Rathod and Dhruv Shorey faced the new ball with confidence. Basil Thampi swung the ball beautifully early on, but couldn’t find the edge. Rathod played some gorgeous drives, scoring four boundaries in his first 20 balls.
Morning Session Highlights:
- Vidarbha reached 90/2 by lunch
- Rathod fell for 38, chopping onto his stumps
- Shorey and Karun Nair rebuilt steadily
- Kerala bowlers kept things tight
The afternoon session belonged to Nair and Shorey. Both batsmen showed patience and class, refusing to give their wickets away cheaply. Shorey scored a solid 52 before edging Nidheesh to slip.
Enter Danish Malewar, the 21-year-old sensation. At stumps, Vidarbha were 254/4 with Malewar on 73* and Nair on 68*. The crowd was buzzing – families in the stands, kids waving flags. It felt like a festival, not just a cricket match.
Day 2: Malewar’s Magic and Kerala’s Fightback
Day 2 started with morning mist, and Kerala struck early. But then Malewar took charge. The young star converted his overnight fifty into a career-best 153 runs.
Malewar’s Brilliant Innings:
- 153 runs off 285 balls
- 15 fours and 1 six
- 215-run partnership with Karun Nair (5th wicket record)
- Showed excellent footwork against spin
- Announced himself as a future star
Nair played the perfect supporting role, scoring 86 runs before holing out to Eden Apple Tom. But Malewar kept attacking; his strokeplay against spin bowling was poetry in motion.
Kerala fought back through their bowlers:
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Tom | 28 | 101 | 3 |
| Basil Thampi | 25 | 89 | 2 |
| Jalaj Saxena | 31 | 95 | 2 |
| Aditya Sarwate | 22 | 67 | 2 |
Vidarbha finished at 379 all out in 123.1 overs. It was a strong total but not impossible to chase.
Kerala’s reply started poorly. Both openers fell cheaply – 15/1 and 48/2. But Aditya Sarwate and captain Sachin Baby steadied the ship. By stumps, Kerala were 131/3, still trailing by 248 runs. The match was perfectly balanced.
Day 3: The First-Innings Thriller – Lead Secured by a Whisker
If Day 2 was an arm-wrestle, Day 3 became a bare-knuckle fight. Kerala resumed with positive intent, but Vidarbha’s spinners had other plans.
Parth Rekhade and Harsh Dubey spun their web perfectly:
Vidarbha Bowling Performance:
- Parth Rekhade: 3/65 (including key wicket of Sanoop)
- Harsh Dubey: 3/88 (reached 50 wickets for the season)
- Darshan Nalkande: 2/58 (crucial breakthrough spells)
Sachin Baby played like a wall – 98 runs off 234 balls. His concentration was incredible, building partnerships and keeping Kerala in the hunt. He and Sarwate added 80 valuable runs for the fourth wicket.
The turning point came when Nalkande’s bouncer got Sarwate. He top-edged to fine leg just when Kerala needed him most. Jalaj Saxena chipped in with 28, but the tail couldn’t support Baby.
Baby’s heartbreaking dismissal came when he charged Rekhade and skied one to Karun Nair at deep midwicket. He was just 56 runs short of a well-deserved century.
Kerala were all out for 342 in 125 overs. Vidarbha’s lead was just 37 runs – slim but absolutely crucial in Ranji Trophy rules.
Day 4: Vidarbha’s Second Act – Nair’s Masterclass
With the precious first-innings lead secured, Vidarbha aimed to bat Kerala out of the game completely. The approach was clear – build a big second-innings total and put the match beyond Kerala’s reach.
Rathod and Shorey opened cautiously, but Kerala struck back. Basil Thampi removed Shorey for 28, and Apple Tom got Rathod for 45. The match was still alive.
Then Karun Nair stepped up again. The veteran batsman was unbeaten on 42 at lunch and kept building partnerships. He and Wadkar ground out 83 runs in the afternoon session before Wadkar fell for 38.
Nair’s Second Innings Dominance:
- Reached his century with typical elegance
- Batted with incredible patience and skill
- Formed crucial partnerships with different batsmen
- Finished the day unbeaten on 132*
Malewar joined Nair and added 59 runs before falling for 40. By stumps, Vidarbha were 249/4, leading by 286 runs. The match was slipping away from Kerala, but cricket can be unpredictable.
A local fan tweeted: “From nowhere in the papers to lifting trophies – Vidarbha pride!” The emotion was real.
Day 5: Declaration, Drama, and the Trophy Lift
The final day arrived with Vidarbha smelling victory. Nair and Rekhade pushed the score to 314/7 by lunch, leading by 351 runs. With time running out, Captain Wadkar made the bold declaration at 375/9.
Nair’s Match-Winning Knock:
- 135 not out off 295 balls
- Showed why he deserved the Player of the Match award
- Perfect combination of patience and aggression
- Led Vidarbha to an unassailable position
Kerala needed 413 runs in roughly 60 overs – mathematically possible but practically impossible. They started aggressively, but Vidarbha’s bowlers were ready.
Dubey struck first, then Rekhade followed up. By tea, Kerala were 50/3 and the chase was over. They finished on 98/5 when the umpires called time.
Final Result: Match Drawn – Vidarbha Champions!
Post-match reactions told the whole story:
- Wadkar: “Dream come true for all of us”
- Baby: “Proud of the team, but next time we’ll beat you!”
- The crowd chanted “Veedarbha!” as the trophy was lifted
Key Performers: Stars Who Shone Brightest
This Vidarbha Cricket Team vs Kerala Cricket Team Match Scorecard highlights several outstanding individual performances:
Top Performers Table:
| Player | Team | Performance | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karun Nair | Vidarbha | 86 & 135* | Player of the Match |
| Danish Malewar | Vidarbha | 153 & 40 | Career-best innings |
| Harsh Dubey | Vidarbha | 3/88 & 52 season wickets | Record breaker |
| Sachin Baby | Kerala | 98 | Fought bravely |
| Aditya Sarwate | Kerala | 79 | All-round effort |
Match-Defining Moments:
- Malewar’s 215-run partnership with Nair
- The baby is missing by 2 runs
- Vidarbha’s 37-run first-innings lead
- Nair’s second-innings masterclass
- Dubey’s record-breaking season
Statistical Highlights:
- Vidarbha had four batsmen in the top-10 run-scorers list
- This was Kerala’s first final appearance across all formats
- Dubey’s 52 wickets broke the all-time Ranji Trophy record
- The match attracted packed crowds throughout five days
What We Learned: Cricket’s Beautiful Lessons
This scorecard teaches us that the Ranji Trophy is India’s real cricket heartbeat. While IPL gets the glamour, domestic cricket builds character and creates champions.
Key Lessons from the Final:
For Young Players:
- Age is just a number – Malewar proved it at 21
- Patience pays off – Nair’s comeback story inspires
- Pressure creates diamonds – both teams handled it well
- Home advantage matters, but isn’t everything
For Cricket Development:
- Vidarbha’s system of mixing academy kids with experienced pros works
- Kerala’s journey proves that underdogs can achieve greatness
- Investment in domestic cricket pays long-term dividends
- Every state can dream of Ranji Trophy glory
For Fans:
- Domestic cricket offers pure, unfiltered entertainment
- Supporting local teams creates incredible atmospheres
- Every boundary and wicket builds someone’s future
- The game is bigger than any individual star
This match reminded everyone why first-class cricket matters. As Karun Nair said after winning: “Every first-class player dreams of lifting this trophy.” They lived that dream in front of thousands of passionate supporters.
Wrapping Up: Why This Final Will Linger
As players shook hands under Nagpur’s bright lights, Vidarbha’s third Ranji Trophy title gleamed with pride. Kerala walked tall despite losing – they were runners-up but gained invaluable experience for future campaigns.
This Vidarbha cricket team vs Kerala cricket team match scorecard will be remembered for:
Historic Significance:
- Kerala’s first-ever Ranji Trophy final appearance
- Vidarbha’s third title in eight years
- Closest possible winning margin (37 runs)
- Record-breaking individual performances
Pure Cricket Drama:
- Five days of intense, high-quality cricket
- Multiple momentum shifts and crucial partnerships
- Brilliant individual performances under pressure
- A finish that kept everyone guessing until the end
Inspiring Stories:
- Malewar’s breakout century at a crucial moment
- Nair’s comeback story proves class is permanent
- Baby’s brave leadership in Kerala’s maiden final
- Dubey’s record-breaking wicket-taking season
The beauty of this final wasn’t just in the numbers – 379, 342, 375/9 – but in the stories behind them. Every run scored and wicket taken represented dreams, hard work, and pure passion for cricket.
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
