Ranji Trophy Winners List & Runners-Up (From 1934-2025)
The Ranji Trophy is India’s most prestigious and historic domestic cricket tournament. This is because it forms the backbone of the country’s cricketing infrastructure. Since its inception in 1934, it has given rise to countless Indian cricketers on the international stage, drawing its strength from there. It was named after Maharaja Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji because he was the first player to play on an international field. And since then, it has produced and will continue to produce many great Test cricketers.
By the end of 2025-26, the Ranji Trophy will remain as fiercely competitive as ever, with 38 teams, and this blog will discuss this in detail.
History of The Ranji Trophy
The Ranji Trophy began in 1934–35 with Bombay (now Mumbai) winning its first title, defeating North India in the final.
From a regional competition system, the competition evolved over nine decades into a multi-tier league format to provide every region of India with a fair opportunity to compete. Initially, the tournament teams were divided into five zones – North, South, East, West, and Central. This was before the current Elite and Plate group system was adopted in 2002–03.
Why The Ranji Trophy Matters?
- It remains the primary pathway for Indian players aspiring to play Test cricket.
- This has produced greats like Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, and Virat Kohli.
- It tests the skill, patience, and consistency of a batsman in India’s domestic circuit.
- The long history of the competition shows the growth of Indian cricket from pre-independence days.
Ranji Trophy Winners & Runners-Up List (1934-2025)
| Season | 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 innings lead) | Kerala |
Below is the complete year-wise list of Ranji Trophy champions and runners-up from 1934 to 2025.
Ranji Trophy 2024-25 Recap: Vidarbha Crowned Champions
The 2024-25 season ended in classic Ranji Trophy fashion — a drawn final decided by a first-innings lead.
Final: Vidarbha vs Kerala
Result: Match drawn; Vidarbha won on first-innings lead
Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Vidarbha’s experienced captain Faiz Fazal once again led from the front with a crucial century. His bowlers Aditya Thakare and Yash Thakur ensured the team maintained a strong lead to win the title. With this victory, Vidarbha won its third Ranji Trophy title, following two consecutive titles in 2017-18 and 2018-19.
Most Successful Teams in Ranji Trophy History
| Team | Titles Won |
|---|---|
| Mumbai (Bombay) | 42 |
| Karnataka | 8 |
| Delhi | 7 |
| Baroda | 5 |
| Holkar | 5 |
| Saurashtra | 2 |
| Vidarbha | 3 |
| Rajasthan | 2 |
| Railways | 2 |
| Tamil Nadu | 2 |
| Gujarat | 1 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 1 |
| Haryana | 1 |
| Hyderabad | 2 |
| Punjab | 1 |
| Maharashtra | 2 |
Conclusion
Vidarbha’s victory and the future of Indian red-ball cricket The Ranji Trophy has been going strong from 1934 to 2025. From Bombay’s early dominance to Vidarbha’s recent resurgence, it has been the heartbeat of Indian domestic cricket. And it is shaping India’s cricketing future. The 2024-25 season once again demonstrated that the true spirit of first-class cricket is still alive and kicking. If teams from Kerala, Saurashtra, and Madhya Pradesh continue to carry forward their legacy, it promises an exciting future. But as the 2025-26 season draws to a close, one thing remains constant—the Ranji Trophy is not just a tournament! It is a tradition, a testing ground, and a celebration of India’s cricketing depth.
Read More: Women’s Premier League (WPL) Winners List (2023-2025)
FAQs: People Also Ask
Q1. What is the Ranji Trophy?
The Ranji Trophy is India’s premier first-class domestic cricket tournament. It is named after Ranjitsinhji, the first Indian to play Test cricket. It is conducted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
Q2. When was the Ranji Trophy started?
It was first held during the 1934-35 season, when Bombay won the inaugural title.
Q3. Which team has won the most Ranji Trophies?
Mumbai, formerly Bombay, is the most successful team with 42 titles in their kitty.
Q4. Who won the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season?
Vidarbha won the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy by beating Kerala in the final, on first-innings lead. It was their third title overall.
Q5. Tell what’s the Ranji Trophy format of playing?
The tournament features 38 participating teams that will be divided into Elite and Plate groups. Teams will play league matches, with the top teams qualifying through the knockout rounds, such as, semifinals, and the final.
