Cricket fans are in for a treat as the Ranji Trophy 2025 Final kicks off this Wednesday in Nagpur, with Vidarbha locking horns against Kerala. While the spotlight might often be on the IPL and its electrifying T20 matches, this red-ball showdown promises to be just as thrilling, with both teams battling for domestic cricket’s most prestigious trophy.
Let’s break down the match preview, key player battles, and—of course—the all-important match prediction.
Teams Preview
Vidarbha Preview 🌟
Vidarbha have been unstoppable this Ranji season, finishing at the top of Group B with six wins and a draw. Their march to the final saw them crush Tamil Nadu by 198 runs in the quarterfinals and outclass defending champions Mumbai by 80 runs in the semis.
Key Players:
- Yash Rathod: 933 runs in 16 innings at 58.31, including a 151-run masterclass in the semis.
- Akshay Wadkar (c & wk): The skipper has led from the front with 674 runs at 48.14.
- Harsh Dubey: The season’s standout bowler with 66 wickets at 16.42—a massive threat on a spin-friendly Nagpur track.
Vidarbha Predicted XI:
Atharva Taide, Dhruv Shorey, Parth Rekhade, Danish Malewar, Karun Nair, Yash Rathod, Akshay Wadkar (c & wk), Harsh Dubey, Darshan Nalkande, Yash Thakur, Nachiket Bhute
Kerala Preview 🌟
Making history, Kerala have reached their first-ever Ranji Trophy final. Their journey has been anything but easy—they clinched a one-run win over Jammu & Kashmir in the quarters and edged Gujarat by two runs in the semis, showing nerves of steel under pressure.
Key Players:
- Salman Nizar: 607 runs at a jaw-dropping 86.71 average—Kerala’s star batter.
- Mohammed Azharuddeen: Contributed 601 runs, adding stability to the top order.
- Jalaj Saxena: 38 wickets at 18.97—a key weapon against Vidarbha’s strong batting lineup.
Kerala Predicted XI:
Akshay Chandran, Rohan Kunnummal, Sachin Baby (c), Jalaj Saxena, Salman Nizar, Varun Nayanar, Mohammed Azharuddeen (wk), Aditya Sarwate, Ahammed Imran, MD Nidheesh, Nedumankuzhy Basil
Pitch Report & Weather Conditions 🌡️
Venue: Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur
- Pitch: Starts as a batter-friendly surface for the first two days, with spin coming into play from Day 3 onwards. Days 4 and 5 could see unpredictable bounce and sharp turn, suiting spinners like Harsh Dubey and Jalaj Saxena.
- Weather: Hot and sunny with morning mist—ideal for swing bowling in the first session. No rain is expected over the five days.
Toss Prediction: Win the toss, bat first. Teams batting first have won 5 out of 6 matches here this season, so expect both captains to aim for a 350+ first innings score.
Match Prediction: Vidarbha vs Kerala 🏆
Why Vidarbha are favorites:
- Home advantage: The Nagpur pitch is familiar territory, boosting their bowlers’ confidence.
- Unbeaten record: Vidarbha’s balance in batting and bowling makes them hard to beat.
- In-form players: Yash Rathod’s form and Harsh Dubey’s wicket-taking spree give them an edge.
Why Kerala could pull off an upset:
- Momentum: Kerala’s gritty wins show they thrive under pressure.
- Spin attack: With Jalaj Saxena and Aditya Sarwate in form, they can exploit the crumbling pitch.
- Underdog mentality: Playing without the burden of expectations can fuel fearless cricket.
Final Verdict:
Given Vidarbha’s form and home advantage, they hold a 60-40 edge. Kerala will fight hard, but Vidarbha are the favorites to win the Ranji Trophy 2025.
Prediction: ✅ Vidarbha to win the 2025 Ranji Trophy Final.