Ranji Trophy
| Administrator | Board of Control for Cricket in India |
|---|---|
| Format | First-class cricket |
| First edition | 1934–35 |
| Latest edition | 2024–25 |
| Tournament format | Round-robin, then knockout |
| Number of teams | 38 (2025-26) |
| Current champion | Vidarbha (3rd title)[1] |
| Most successful | Mumbai (42 titles)[2] |
| Qualification | Irani Cup |
| Most runs | Wasim Jaffer (12,038) |
| Most wickets | Rajinder Goel (640) |
| TV | JioHotstar |
| Website | www |
| Longest continuous champion | Mumbai (15 titles) |
The Ranji Trophy is an annual domestic first-class cricket championship played in India. It is organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and teams representing the various member associations of the BCCI take part in the tournament. In the 2025–26 season, the competition was contested by 38 teams, including at least one team from each of the 28 states and four of the eight union territories.[a] The matches are held across various cricket grounds and stadiums in India.
The championship was first organised in 1934–35, with the inaugural match held between Madras and Mysore at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium on 4 November 1934. When the tournament was founded, it was named as the "Cricket Championship of India". Before the second edition of the tournament in 1935–36, it was renamed after Ranjitsinhji, who was the first Indian to play international cricket.[b] Since the inaugural edition, the tournament has been organised annually except in 2020–21, when it was suspended due to COVID-19.
Mumbai is the most successful team with 42 titles to its name. Vidarbha is the defending champion having defeated Kerala in the final of the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy.
History

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was established on 1 December 1928 at Madras.[3][4] Anthony de Mello, one of the founders of the BCCI,[5][6] proposed the idea of a national level, first-class cricket championship during a meeting of the BCCI at Shimla in July 1934.[7][8] Fifteen teams contested in the inaugural edition of the championship in 1934-35.[7] The first match of the competition was held on 4 November 1934 between Madras and Mysore at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium at Madras, and was completed on a single day.[7][9][10]
Initially, the inaugural tournament was named as the "Cricket Championship of India". Bhupinder Singh, the Maharaja of Patiala, donated the trophy for the tournament, and suggested that it be named after Ranjitsinhji, the first Indian to play international cricket.[b] The championship was renamed as "Ranji Trophy" ahead of the second season in 1935-36.[7][8] The tournament has been held annually since its inception with the only exception in 2020-21, when the tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[11][12]
Competition format
From the inception of the championship in 1934-35 to the 2001-02 season, the teams were grouped geographically into four or five zones – North, West, East, and South, with the Central zone added in 1952-53.[13] The number of teams in each zone varied across the seasons. In the 1948-49 Ranji Trophy, the 16 teams were grouped into one single group, as an exception.[14] Initially, the matches were played on a knock-out basis until 1956-57, and thereafter on a league basis to determine a winner of each zonal group. The zonal winners competed in a knock-out round, leading to a final that decided the winner of the Ranji Trophy. From the 1970–71 season, the knock-out stage was expanded to accommodate top two teams from each zone, for a total of ten qualifying teams. This was expanded again to include the top three from each zone in 1992–93 for a total of fifteen qualifying teams. Between 1996–97 and 1999–2000, the fifteen qualifying teams competed in a secondary group stage, with three groups of five teams, and the top two from each group qualified for a six-team knock-out stage.[15]
Ahead of the 2002–03 season, the zonal system was replaced by a two-tiered league comprising of the Elite (higher tier) and Plate Groups (lower tier). The 15 teams in the Elite tier were divided into two sub-groups and played against the other teams in the group, with the winner of each sub-group competing for the title, while the bottom teams were relegated to the Plate Group for the next season. The 12 teams in the lower tier were organised into two groups, and played a round-robin tournament, with the winners earning promotion to the Elite Group for the next season.[7][13][15] In the 2008–09 season, the format was adjusted to give the top teams from the Plate League groups to join the top three from each Super League (top tier) sub-group in an eight-team knock-out tournament, the winner was which was crowned the champion.[13]
From the 2012–13 season, the format was altered with the 18 teams in the top tier divided into two groups (Groups A and B) of nine teams, who competed in eight matches (four at home and four away), while the second tier (Group C) had nine teams in a single group. The top three teams from Groups A and B and the top two from Group C contested the knockout phase. The lowest placed team in each of top tier groups was relegated to Group C, and the top two from Group C are promoted to the top tier.[16] In the 2007-08 Ranji Trophy, 2008-09, and 2014-15 seasons, knockout-stage matches were held at neutral venues.[17] In the 2016–17, all the matches were played at neutral venues. However, this was abandoned for the next season, in which the two-tier system was done away with and the teams were grouped into four groups of seven teams each with the top two qualifying for the quarter-finalis.[13][18] From the 2018–19 season, the tournament had 37 teams, which were organised into three-tiers with five teams qualifying for the quarter-finals from the top tier (known as Elite Group A and Group B). Two teams from the second-tier (Elite Group C) and one team from the lower-tier (Plate Group) joined them in the quarter-finals.[7][19]
The matches, which were played for three days during the inaugural season, was later held as four-day matches in the group stage, and five-day matches in knock-outs with a possible sixth day for the final in some seasons.[16][20] In the group stages, teams have generally been awarded points for a win, and if the match did not yield a result, both the teams got points, with the team accumulating the lead in the first innings, being awarded the higher number of points. In the knockout stages, if there is no outright result, the team leading after the first innings is declared the winner.[13][20]
Points distribution system
For the 2025-26 season, points are awarded for the league stage as follows:[21]
| Scenario | Points |
|---|---|
| Win | 6 |
| Bonus point for win by an inning or 10 wickets | 1 |
| Tied match | 3 |
| First innings lead in a drawn match | 3 |
| No result | 1 |
| Tie in first inning score in a drawn match | 1 |
| Loss based on first innings score in a drawn match | 1 |
| Loss | 0 |
Participants
Teams representing the various member associations of the BCCI take part in the tournament. There were 15 teams took part in the first tournament, Army, Bombay, Central India, Central Provinces and Berar, Delhi, Gujarat, Hyderabad, Madras, Maharashtra, Mysore, Northern India, Southern Punjab, Sind, United Provinces, and Western India.[7][13] The teams that took part in the Ranji Trophy changed over the years, with the Partition of India in 1947, Reorganisation of Indian states in 1956, and the formation of new Indian states and territories.[13][14] The tournament had 18 teams by 1936–37 season, and increased to 20 teams by 1947–48 season. By the 1959–60 season, 24 teams took part in the tournament, and which increased to 26 in 1985–86 season. Jharkhand joined for the 2004–05 season and Chhattisgarh took part for the first time in 2016–17.[14] For the 2016–17 Ranji Trophy, nine new teams were added, based on the Lodha Committee recommendations.[22] Chandigarh took part for the first time in 2019–20 season, taking the number to 38 teams.[23]
As of the 2025–26 edition, 38 teams continued to take part in the tournament.[24] There is at least one team representing each of the 28 states and five of the eight union territories.[a] Hyderabad became the representative of the Telangana state formed in 2013. Apart from these 32 teams,[a] Baroda, Mumbai, Saurashtra and Vidarbha, which are remnants from the teams fielded by the erstwhile territories and princely states before the Indian independence, continue to take part in the competition. Apart from this, Railways, and Services have representative teams in the competition..[24][25] Despite the Lodha committee recommendation to have one team representing each state or union territory, a ruling by the Supreme Court of India in 2018, resulted in the continuing participation of these teams.[25]
2025–26 season
Thirty eight teams participate in the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy:[24]
Defunct teams
Source:[14]
- Central India (1934/35 – 1940/41)
- Central Provinces and Berar (1934/35 – 1949/50)
- Northern India (1934/35 – 1946/47)
- Sind (1934/35 – 1947/48)
- Southern Punjab (1934/35 – 1951/52, 1959/60 – 1967/68)
- Western India (1934/35 – 1945/46)
- North West Frontier Province (1937/38 – 1946/47)
- Gwalior (1943/44)
- Patiala/PEPSU (1948/49, 1953/54 – 1958/59)
- Eastern Punjab (1950/51 – 1959/60)
- Travancore-Cochin (1951/52 – 1956/57)
- Northern Punjab (1960/61 – 1967/68)
Stadiums
Chaudhary Bansi Lal Cricket Stadium Lahli ||Rohtak||10,000||Haryana
Players
Teams are selected by selection panels of respective member associations using player trials and past performance amongst others.[34] Every association is allowed to register up to 50 players, who can be selected to the squad during the tournament. The registration and announcement of teams usually close a week before the start of the tournament. If a player has played for a different team in the past, and wishes to switch teams, he is required to get an approval from the BCCI and a no objection certificate from the previous association.[35]
Renumeration
The players involved in the tournament are paid a fixed salary by the BCCI based on the number of days played. The players are catergorised into three tiers based on the number of Ranji Trophy games played in their respective careers. A player who has played more than 40 games is paid ₹60,000 (US$710) per day, with ₹50,000 (US$590) to those who have played between 21 and 40 games and ₹40,000 (US$470) for those who have played less than 20 games. Reserve players are paid ₹30,000 (US$350), ₹25,000 (US$300), and ₹20,000 (US$240) in the respective categories.[36][37]
Seasons
Results of the final match
Finals appearances by team
Mumbai/Bombay have played in 48 finals and have won total 42 Ranji Trophy championships, the most by any team.
| Team | Winner | Runner-up | Win % | Last win |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai / Bombay | 42 | 6 | 87.5 | 2024 |
| Karnataka / Mysore | 8 | 6 | 57.1 | 2015 |
| Delhi | 7 | 8 | 46.7 | 2008 |
| Madhya Pradesh / Holkar | 5 | 7 | 41.7 | 2022 |
| Baroda | 5 | 4 | 55.6 | 2001 |
| Saurashtra / Nawanagar | 3 | 4 | 75.0 | 2023 |
| Vidarbha | 3 | 1 | 75.0 | 2025 |
| Bengal | 2 | 13 | 13.33 | 1990 |
| Tamil Nadu / Madras | 2 | 10 | 16.7 | 1988 |
| Rajasthan / Rajputana | 2 | 8 | 20.0 | 2012 |
| Hyderabad | 2 | 3 | 40.0 | 1987 |
| Maharashtra | 2 | 3 | 40.0 | 1941 |
| Railways | 2 | 2 | 50.0 | 2005 |
| Uttar Pradesh / United Provinces | 1 | 5 | 16.7 | 2006 |
| Punjab / Southern Punjab | 1 | 3 | 25.0 | 1993 |
| Haryana | 1 | 1 | 50.0 | 1991 |
| Gujarat | 1 | 1 | 50.0 | 2017 |
| Western India | 1 | 0 | 100 | 1944 |
| Services | 0 | 2 | 0.0 | |
| Bihar | 0 | 1 | 0.0 | |
| Northern India | 0 | 1 | 0.0 | |
| Kerala | 0 | 1 | 0.0 | |
| Jammu & Kashmir | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
Statistics
| Team records[38] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Most trophies wins | 42 | Mumbai | 1934–2024 |
| Highest team score | 935/5 dec. | Hyderabad v Andhra | 1993–94[39] |
| Lowest team score | 21 | Hyderabad v Rajasthan | 2010[40] |
| Individual match records[38] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highest individual innings | 443* | B. B. Nimbalkar | Maharashtra v Kathiawar | 1948–49[41] |
| Best innings bowling | 10/20 | Premangsu Chatterjee | Bengal v Assam | 1956–57[42] |
| Best match bowling | 16/99 | Anil Kumble | Karnataka v Kerala | 1994–95[43] |
| Individual season records[44] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Most runs in a season | 1,415 | V. V. S. Laxman | Hyderabad | 1999–2000 |
| Most centuries in a season | 7 | Wasim Jaffer | Mumbai | 1999–2000 |
| Most wickets in a season | 69 | Harsh Dubey | Vidarbha | 2024-25 |
| Individual career records | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Most career matches | 155 | Wasim Jaffer | 1996–2020 | |
| Most career runs | 12,038[45] | Wasim Jaffer | 1996–2020 | |
| Most career centuries | 40[45] | Wasim Jaffer | 1996–2020 | |
| Highest career batting average | 98.35[46] | Vijay Merchant | 1934–51 | |
| Most career wickets | 640†[47] | Rajinder Goel | 1958–85 | |
† Some sources credit Goel with 636 or 640 wickets instead.
Broadcasting
Star Sports Network television channels and JioHotstar hold the rights to broadcast the trophy on television and online respectively.[48] Match highlights are streamed on the official website of the BCCI.[49]
In popular culture
- The tournament featured in the 2019 Telugu film Jersey, in which the protagonist Arjun represents the Hyderabad cricket team in the Ranji Trophy in the 1980s and 1990s.[50]
See also
Notes
- ^ a b c Delhi and Puducherry are represented by Delhi cricket team and Puducherry cricket team respectively. Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are represented by the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team.
- ^ a b Ranjitsinhji played for England from 1896 to 1902. He was a prince from the princely state of Nawanagar and later became its ruler.
- ^ Some teams have competed under different names in the past, while a few teams have been successors of erstwhile teams.
- ^ Western India cricket team was the winner in the 1943-44 Ranji Trophy, and is defunct.
- ^ Northern India cricket team was the runner-up in the 1934-35 Ranji Trophy, and is defunct.
- ^ Competed as Mysore cricket team till 1972-73.
- ^ Succeeded the Travancore-Cochin cricket team which competed from 1951-52 to 1957-58.
- ^ Competed as Holkar cricket team from 1941-42 to 1954-55, and as Madhya Bharat cricket team till 1949-50.
- ^ Competed as Bombay cricket team from 1934-35 to 1995-96.
- ^ Succeeded the Eastern Punjab cricket team (1950–51 to 1959–60), Northern Punjab cricket team (1960–61 to 1967-68), Patiala cricket team (1948–49, 1953–54 to 1958-59), and Southern Punjab cricket team (1934–35 to 1951–52, 1959–60 to 1967-68).
- ^ Competed as Rajputana cricket team from 1935–36 to 1955-56.
- ^ Competed as Nawanagar cricket team from 1936–37 to 1946-47.
- ^ Competed as Madras cricket team from 1934–35 to 1970-71.
- ^ Competed as United Provinces cricket team from 1934–35 to 1949-50.
- ^ Irani Cup is single match tournament, in which last season's Ranji Trophy champion play against the Rest of India cricket team. The match is organised annually at the beginning of the Indian domestic cricket season.
References
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- ^ "Pakistan's Goa Connections". The Times of India. 3 November 2016. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
...dynamic founder of the Cricket Club of India, the Board of Control for Cricket in India, and the Asian Games was a Karachi Goan (and Cambridge graduate) Anthony de Mello.
- ^ Menezes, Vivek (13 August 2022). "The Karachi connection:75 Years of being Goan in Pakistan". O Heraldo. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
It was Anthony de Mello of Saligao and Karachi who founded the Board of Cricket Control of India...
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- ^ "M. A. Chidamabaram Stadium". International Cricket Council. Archived from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
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- ^ "Indian domestic players may earn upto INR 1 Crore". Cricbuzz. 24 April 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- ^ "Ranji Trophy players to get a fee hike as BCCI looks to improve remuneration". The Indian Express. 24 March 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ a b Compiled from Overall First-Class Records Archived 22 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine at CricketArchive.
- ^ Match scorecard. CricketArchive (1994-01-11). Retrieved on 2013-12-06.
- ^ Match scorecard. CricketArchive (1935-02-06). Retrieved on 2013-12-06.
- ^ Match scorecard. CricketArchive (1948-12-18). Retrieved on 2013-12-06.
- ^ Match scorecard. CricketArchive (1957-01-29). Retrieved on 2013-12-06.
- ^ Match scorecard. CricketArchive (1995-01-17). Retrieved on 2013-12-06.
- ^ From Indian Cricket 2004, published by The Hindu, 2004
- ^ a b "'My time under the sun is over' – domestic giant Wasim Jaffer retires at 42". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
- ^ Partab Ramchand (19 February 2000). "Ajay Sharma in elite company". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 28 February 2007.
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- ^ "BCCI media rights Viacom18..." The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 2 September 2023.
- ^ "Ranji Trophy 2022/23, where to watch live: TV channels, match timings and live streaming". Wisden. 12 December 2012. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (22 April 2019). "Nani-starrer 'Jersey', garners praise from cricket buffs". The Hindu.