The Ranji Trophy is India’s main domestic cricket tournament and it has been around since way back in 1934. It is named after Ranjitsinhji, who was the first Indian to play international cricket and the competition has been a key part of India’s cricketing system ever since.
Over the years, it has produced loads of top-class players and some unforgettable matches. In the 2024–25 season, Vidarbha came out on top. They drew the final against Kerala but won the trophy based on their first-innings lead, which is how it works in red-ball cricket there. That win gave Vidarbha their third Ranji title and proved they are one of the strongest teams in the format right now.
The 2025–26 Ranji Trophy season is currently ongoing, with teams battling to continue their momentum and scout future Indian national team talent.
Ranji Trophy Winners List (From 1934 To 2026)
The Ranji Trophy has a rich history spanning 90 years, with teams from across India competing for the coveted title.
Here’s the complete list of winners and runners-up from the tournament’s inception to the most recent season:
| Year | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 1934-35 | Bombay | Northern India |
| 1935-36 | Bombay | Madras |
| 1936-37 | Nawanagar | Bengal |
| 1937-38 | Hyderabad | Nawanagar |
| 1938-39 | Bengal | Southern Punjab |
| 1939-40 | Maharashtra | United Provinces |
| 1940-41 | Maharashtra | Madras |
| 1941-42 | Bombay | Mysore |
| 1942-43 | Baroda | Hyderabad |
| 1943-44 | Western India | Bengal |
| 1944-45 | Bombay | Holkar |
| 1945-46 | Holkar | Baroda |
| 1946-47 | Baroda | Holkar |
| 1947-48 | Holkar | Bombay |
| 1948-49 | Bombay | Baroda |
| 1949-50 | Baroda | Holkar |
| 1950-51 | Holkar | Gujarat |
| 1951-52 | Bombay | Holkar |
| 1952-53 | Holkar | Bengal |
| 1953-54 | Bombay | Holkar |
| 1954-55 | Madras | Holkar |
| 1955-56 | Bombay | Bengal |
| 1956-57 | Bombay | Services |
| 1957-58 | Baroda | Services |
| 1958-59 | Bombay | Bengal |
| 1959-60 | Bombay | Mysore |
| 1960-61 | Bombay | Rajasthan |
| 1961-62 | Bombay | Rajasthan |
| 1962-63 | Bombay | Rajasthan |
| 1963-64 | Bombay | Rajasthan |
| 1964-65 | Bombay | Hyderabad |
| 1965-66 | Bombay | Rajasthan |
| 1966-67 | Bombay | Rajasthan |
| 1967-68 | Bombay | Madras |
| 1968-69 | Bombay | Bengal |
| 1969-70 | Bombay | Rajasthan |
| 1970-71 | Bombay | Maharashtra |
| 1971-72 | Bombay | Bengal |
| 1972-73 | Bombay | Tamil Nadu |
| 1973-74 | Karnataka | Rajasthan |
| 1974-75 | Bombay | Karnataka |
| 1975-76 | Bombay | Bihar |
| 1976-77 | Bombay | Delhi |
| 1977-78 | Karnataka | Uttar Pradesh |
| 1978-79 | Delhi | Karnataka |
| 1979-80 | Delhi | Bombay |
| 1980-81 | Bombay | Delhi |
| 1981-82 | Delhi | Karnataka |
| 1982-83 | Karnataka | Bombay |
| 1983-84 | Bombay | Delhi |
| 1984-85 | Bombay | Delhi |
| 1985-86 | Delhi | Haryana |
| 1986-87 | Hyderabad | Delhi |
| 1987-88 | Tamil Nadu | Railways |
| 1988-89 | Delhi | Bengal |
| 1989-90 | Bengal | Delhi |
| 1990-91 | Haryana | Bombay |
| 1991-92 | Delhi | Tamil Nadu |
| 1992-93 | Punjab | Maharashtra |
| 1993-94 | Bombay | Bengal |
| 1994-95 | Bombay | Punjab |
| 1995-96 | Karnataka | Tamil Nadu |
| 1996-97 | Mumbai | Delhi |
| 1997-98 | Karnataka | Uttar Pradesh |
| 1998-99 | Karnataka | Madhya Pradesh |
| 1999-00 | Mumbai | Hyderabad |
| 2000-01 | Baroda | Railways |
| 2001-02 | Railways | Baroda |
| 2002-03 | Mumbai | Tamil Nadu |
| 2003-04 | Mumbai | Tamil Nadu |
| 2004-05 | Railways | Punjab |
| 2005-06 | Uttar Pradesh | Bengal |
| 2006-07 | Mumbai | Bengal |
| 2007-08 | Delhi | Uttar Pradesh |
| 2008-09 | Mumbai | Uttar Pradesh |
| 2009-10 | Mumbai | Karnataka |
| 2010-11 | Rajasthan | Baroda |
| 2011-12 | Rajasthan | Tamil Nadu |
| 2012-13 | Mumbai | Saurashtra |
| 2013-14 | Karnataka | Maharashtra |
| 2014-15 | Karnataka | Tamil Nadu |
| 2015-16 | Mumbai | Saurashtra |
| 2016-17 | Gujarat | Mumbai |
| 2017-18 | Vidarbha | Delhi |
| 2018-19 | Vidarbha | Saurashtra |
| 2019-20 | Saurashtra | Bengal |
| 2020-21 | Not held due to Covid-19 | – |
| 2021-22 | Madhya Pradesh | Mumbai |
| 2022-23 | Saurashtra | Bengal |
| 2023-24 | Mumbai | Vidarbha |
| 2024–25 | Vidarbha (1st inns lead) | Kerala |
| 2025-26 | TBD | TBD |
Ranji Trophy History
The Ranji Trophy began in the 1934-35 season, with Bombay (now Mumbai) emerging as the first champions. Since then, the tournament has grown in stature and importance, becoming a key platform for identifying and nurturing talent for the Indian national team.
Mumbai (formerly Bombay) has been the most successful team in Ranji Trophy history, winning the title a record 42 times. Their dominance is unmatched, with no other team coming close to their tally of victories. Karnataka and Delhi follow with 8 and 7 titles respectively.
The tournament has seen many format changes over the years. Initially, teams were divided into five zones: North, West, East, South, and Central. The Central zone was added in the 1952-53 season. In 2002-03, the zonal system was replaced by a two-division structure with Elite and Plate groups.
Currently, the Ranji Trophy features 38 teams divided into Elite and Plate groups. The Elite group consists of multiple sub-groups, while the Plate group includes newer and less established teams. This format ensures a balance between competitiveness and opportunities for emerging cricket associations.
Throughout its history, the Ranji Trophy has witnessed many memorable moments and outstanding performances. In the 2023-24 season, Mumbai created history when Tanush Kotian and Tushar Deshpande, batting at numbers 10 and 11, both scored centuries in the same innings against Baroda. This feat had never been achieved before in first-class cricket.
The tournament has also been a launchpad for many Indian cricket legends. Players like Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Virat Kohli all made their mark in the Ranji Trophy before shining on the international stage.
Despite challenges like the growing popularity of shorter formats and the packed international calendar, the Ranji Trophy remains crucial to India’s cricketing ecosystem. It continues to be the primary avenue for players to showcase their skills and earn a spot in the national team.
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Conclusion: Vidarbha Won The 2024–25 Ranji Trophy Season!
The Ranji Trophy has been a big part of India’s cricket journey, and it still plays a huge role in shaping the next crop of players. It has seen everything from Mumbai’s early dominance to the rise of teams like Saurashtra and Vidarbha in recent years.
The latest completed season showed how competitive the format remains, with Vidarbha lifting the 2024–25 title after a drawn final decided on first-innings lead. That result once again highlighted the tactical side of red-ball domestic cricket.
As the 2025–26 season is currently underway, new talents are emerging and teams are pushing hard to stamp their identity. While Indian cricket continues to grow and evolve, the Ranji Trophy remains the foundation where future internationals are made and where the traditional spirit of first-class cricket stays alive.
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