Ranji Trophy Winners List & Runners-Up (From 1934-2025)

4.3 (26) 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 […]

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.

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.