Sports

Vidarbha Pip Kerala On First-Innings Lead, Claim Third Ranji Trophy Title

A superb run in the 2024-25 domestic season was capped with a third Ranji Trophy title for Vidarbha on Sunday (March 2), as they pipped Kerala on the basis of first-innings lead on the fifth and final day of the summit clash at their home ground in Nagpur. The contest swung the hosts' way on the third evening when Vidarbha surged ahead with a slender lead of 37 runs in the first innings, having dismissed a gritty Kerala for 342 after putting on 379 runs batting first. On Sunday, Vidarbha did what they had planned — to bat, bat and bat — and reached 375 for nine with Karun Nair making 135 (295 balls, 10x4s, 2x6s), Danish Malewar scoring 73 and Darshan Nalkande chipping in with a 51 not out.