Ranji trophy winners list: Complete history & records

The Ranji Trophy winners list is a record of India’s most prestigious domestic cricket competition, which has been crowning champions since the 1934–35 season.However, with over 90 seasons of intense competition, it can be challenging for fans, players, and scorers to keep track of all the winners and important stats from this historic tournament. 

From its inaugural champions, Bombay, to the latest titleholders, Vidarbha, the list of Ranji Trophy winners is a testament to the evolution of Indian cricket. Some teams, like Mumbai, have dominated for decades, while others, such as Vidarbha and Saurashtra, have emerged as recent champions. 

In this blog, we provide a complete Ranji Trophy winners list, showcasing every season’s champion, the winning captain, and more. Whether you’re a grassroots player or a fan, this guide will help you navigate the rich history of one of India’s most prestigious cricket tournaments, giving you a clear view of how the competition has evolved over the years.

What is the Ranji Trophy?

The Ranji Trophy is India’s national first-class championship, played annually across the country.
It was founded in 1934, following a meeting of the BCCI in Shimla, and first played in the 1934–35 season. The trophy was donated by Bhupinder Singh, the Maharaja of Patiala, in memory of Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji, the first Indian to play international cricket for England (1896–1902).

The first match took place on 4 November 1934 between Madras and Mysore at Chepauk (Chennai). Bombay (now Mumbai) went on to win the inaugural championship.

Today, 38 teams — representing all Indian states and four union territories — compete for the shield.

Quick facts

• First Season: 1934–35
• Current Champion (2024–25): Vidarbha (def. Kerala at Nagpur)
• Most Titles: Mumbai – 42
• Format: Four-day league matches and knockout system
• Administered by: BCCI

Complete Ranji Trophy winners list (1934–2025)

Season	Winner	Runner-Up	Winning Captain
2024–25	Vidarbha	Kerala	Akshay Wadkar
2023–24	Mumbai	Vidarbha	Ajinkya Rahane
2022–23	Saurashtra	Bengal	Jaydev Unadkat
2021–22	Madhya Pradesh	Mumbai	Aditya Shrivastava
2020–21	Not Held	Canceled due to COVID-19	Canceled due to COVID-19
2019–20	Saurashtra	Bengal	Jaydev Unadkat
2018–19	Vidarbha	Saurashtra	Faiz Fazal
2017–18	Vidarbha	Delhi	Faiz Fazal
2016–17	Gujarat	Mumbai	Parthiv Patel
2015–16	Mumbai	Saurashtra	Aditya Tare
2014–15	Karnataka	Tamil Nadu	Vinay Kumar
2013–14	Karnataka	Maharashtra	Vinay Kumar
2012–13	Mumbai	Saurashtra	Ajit Agarkar
2011–12	Rajasthan	Tamil Nadu	Hrishikesh Kanitkar
2010–11	Rajasthan	Baroda	Hrishikesh Kanitkar
2009–10	Mumbai	Karnataka	Wasim Jaffer
2008–09	Mumbai	Uttar Pradesh	Wasim Jaffer
2007–08	Delhi	Uttar Pradesh	Gautam Gambhir
2006–07	Mumbai	Bengal	Amol Muzumdar
2005–06	Uttar Pradesh	Bengal	Mohammad Kaif
2004–05	Railways	Punjab	Sanjay Bangar
2003–04	Mumbai	Tamil Nadu	Sairaj Bahutule
2002–03	Mumbai	Tamil Nadu	Paras Mhambrey
2001–02	Railways	Baroda	Abhay Sharma
2000–01	Baroda	Railways	Jacob Martin
1999–00	Mumbai	Hyderabad	Sameer Dighe
1998–99	Karnataka	Madhya Pradesh	Sunil Joshi
1997–98	Karnataka	Uttar Pradesh	Rahul Dravid
1996–97	Mumbai	Delhi	Sanjay Manjrekar
1995–96	Karnataka	Tamil Nadu	Anil Kumble
1994–95	Bombay	Punjab	Sachin Tendulkar
1993–94	Bombay	Bengal	Ravi Shastri
1992–93	Punjab	Maharashtra	Gursharan Singh
1991–92	Delhi	Tamil Nadu	Ajay Sharma
1990–91	Haryana	Bombay	Kapil Dev
1989–90	Bengal	Delhi	Sambaran Banerjee
1988–89	Delhi	Bengal	Madan Lal
1987–88	Tamil Nadu	Railways	S. Vasudevan
1986–87	Hyderabad	Delhi	M. V. Narasimha Rao
1985–86	Delhi	Haryana	Madan Lal
1984–85	Bombay	Delhi	Sunil Gavaskar
1983–84	Bombay	Delhi	Sunil Gavaskar
1982–83	Karnataka	Bombay	Brijesh Patel
1981–82	Delhi	Karnataka	Mohinder Amarnath
1980–81	Bombay	Delhi	Eknath Solkar
1979–80	Delhi	Bombay	Bishan Singh Bedi
1978–79	Delhi	Karnataka	Bishan Singh Bedi
1977–78	Karnataka	Uttar Pradesh	E. A. S. Prasanna
1976–77	Bombay	Delhi	Sunil Gavaskar
1975–76	Bombay	Bihar	Ashok Mankad
1974–75	Bombay	Karnataka	Ashok Mankad
1973–74	Karnataka	Rajasthan	E. A. S. Prasanna
1972–73	Bombay	Tamil Nadu	Ajit Wadekar
1971–72	Bombay	Bengal	Ajit Wadekar
1970–71	Bombay	Maharashtra	Sudhir Naik
1969–70	Bombay	Rajasthan	Ajit Wadekar
1968–69	Bombay	Bengal	Ajit Wadekar
1967–68	Bombay	Madras	Manohar Hardikar
1966–67	Bombay	Rajasthan	Manohar Hardikar
1965–66	Bombay	Rajasthan	Bapu Nadkarni
1964–65	Bombay	Hyderabad	Bapu Nadkarni
1963–64	Bombay	Rajasthan	Bapu Nadkarni
1962–63	Bombay	Rajasthan	Polly Umrigar
1961–62	Bombay	Rajasthan	Madhav Apte
1960–61	Bombay	Rajasthan	Polly Umrigar
1959–60	Bombay	Mysore	Polly Umrigar
1958–59	Bombay	Bengal	Madhav Apte
1957–58	Baroda	Services	Datta Gaekwad
1956–57	Bombay	Services	Madhav Mantri
1955–56	Bombay	Bengal	Madhav Mantri
1954–55	Madras	Holkar	Balu Alaganan
1953–54	Bombay	Holkar	Ranga Sohoni
1952–53	Holkar	Bengal	C. K. Nayudu
1951–52	Bombay	Holkar	Madhav Mantri
1950–51	Holkar	Gujarat	C. K. Nayudu
1949–50	Baroda	Holkar	Raosaheb Nimbalkar
1948–49	Bombay	Baroda	K. C. Ibrahim
1947–48	Holkar	Bombay	C. K. Nayudu
1946–47	Baroda	Holkar	Raosaheb Nimbalkar
1945–46	Holkar	Baroda	C. K. Nayudu
1944–45	Bombay	Holkar	Vijay Merchant
1943–44	Western India	Bengal	Herbert Barritt
1942–43	Baroda	Hyderabad	W.Ghorpade
1941–42	Bombay	Mysore	Vijay Merchant
1940–41	Maharashtra	Madras	D. B. Deodhar
1939–40	Maharashtra	United Provinces	D. B. Deodhar
1938–39	Bengal	Southern Punjab	Tom Longfield
1937–38	Hyderabad	Nawanagar	SM Hussain
1936–37	Nawanagar	Bengal	Albert Wensley
1935–36	Bombay	Madras	Hormasji Vajifdar
1934–35	Bombay	Northern India	L. P. Jai

Ranji Trophy most winners list: Top teams ranked

The Ranji Trophy has seen a variety of teams rise to prominence over the decades, but a few have consistently dominated the competition. Here’s a breakdown of the top teams with the most titles:

Team	Titles Won	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
Baroda	5	4	55.6%	2001
Madhya Pradesh / Holkar	5	7	41.7%	2022
Saurashtra / Western India / Nawanagar	4	4	50%	2023
Vidarbha	3	1	75%	2025
Bengal	2	13	13.33%	1990
Hyderabad	2	3	40%	1987
Maharashtra	2	3	40%	1941
Railways	2	2	50%	2005
Rajasthan / Rajputana	2	8	20%	2012
Tamil Nadu / Madras	2	10	16.7%	1988
Gujarat	1	1	50%	2017
Haryana	1	1	50%	1991
Punjab / Southern Punjab	1	3	25%	1993
Uttar Pradesh / United Provinces	1	5	16.7%	2006
Bihar	0	1	0%	–
Kerala	0	1	0%	–
Northern India	0	1	0%	–
Services	0	2	0%	–

Key insights

1. Mumbai / Bombay stands out with an astonishing 42 titles, maintaining a win rate of 87.5%. Their most recent win came in 2024.
2. Karnataka / Mysore follows with 8 titles, with a win percentage of 57.1%. Their last victory was in 2015.
3. Delhi, with 7 titles, has a win percentage of 46.7%, with their last title win in 2008.
4. Vidarbha, a newer champion, has won 3 titles with an impressive win percentage of 75%, and their most recent title came in 2025.
5. Madhya Pradesh / Holkar has 5 titles, with their most recent victory in 2022.
6. Saurashtra, Baroda, and Hyderabad have all been strong contenders in the tournament, each having won a few titles over the decades.
7. Teams like Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu have reached the finals several times but have won only 2 titles each, with relatively low win percentages.
8. Kerala, Bihar, Northern India, and Services have all participated in the finals but have not secured any titles.

Era-wise dominance & trends

The Ranji Trophy has witnessed different teams dominating in various periods. From the early dominance of Bombay to the rise of new champions in recent years, the tournament has evolved through distinct phases.

1930s–1960s: The era of Bombay’s dominance

• Key Team: Bombay
• Titles Won: 30 titles

Era summary

• Bombay (now Mumbai) was the undisputed leader in this era, securing an impressive 30 titles between 1934 and 1960.
• Led by legendary players such as Vijay Merchant and Polly Umrigar, Bombay’s cricketing infrastructure, depth of talent, and leadership ensured they ruled the competition.
• The team set a high standard that others struggled to match, establishing a strong cricketing tradition.

1970s–1990s: Karnataka and Delhi challenge

• Key Teams: Karnataka, Delhi
• Titles Won: Karnataka (5), Delhi (5)

Era summary:

• The 1970s and 1980s saw Karnataka (formerly Mysore) and Delhi rise to prominence.
• Karnataka, with players like E. A. S. Prasanna and Anil Kumble, made significant strides in the 1990s, winning multiple titles.
• Delhi made an impact too, winning several finals during this period, with captains like Bishan Singh Bedi and Mohinder Amarnath.
• While Bombay continued to be a strong contender, these teams started breaking the monopoly, making the competition more exciting.

2000s–2010s: Mumbai continues to dominate

• Key Team: Mumbai
• Titles Won: 8 titles

Era summary:

• Despite competition from other teams, Mumbai continued its winning ways in the 2000s and 2010s, adding 8 more titles to their record.
• Wasim Jaffer, Ajit Agarkar, and Amol Muzumdar were integral to Mumbai’s success in this period.
• The 2000s marked Mumbai’s continued dominance, but teams like Saurashtra, Rajasthan, and Karnataka began to show they were capable challengers.

2010s–2020s: The rise of new teams

• Key Teams: Vidarbha, Saurashtra, Madhya Pradesh
• Titles Won: Vidarbha (2), Saurashtra (2), Madhya Pradesh (1)

Era summary:

• This period saw the rise of new champions, with Vidarbha making history by winning their first title in 2017–18 and successfully defending it in 2018–19.
• Saurashtra emerged as a new powerhouse, clinching titles in 2020–21 and 2022–23.
• Madhya Pradesh claimed their first-ever title in 2022, highlighting the increasing competition and the emergence of new challengers in Indian domestic cricket.

Key trends and shifts over the decades

• Bombay’s Unmatched Reign (1934–1960s): Dominance was absolute, with Bombay winning almost every title and setting the standard for the tournament.
• Rising Competition (1970s–1990s): Karnataka and Delhi started breaking Bombay’s dominance, making the tournament more competitive and exciting.
• Mumbai’s Continued Strength (2000s–2010s): Despite emerging competitors, Mumbai still held its ground with several more titles, showcasing its long-standing success.
• Emergence of New Champions (2010s–2020s): Teams like Vidarbha, Saurashtra, and Madhya Pradesh brought new energy to the tournament, highlighting the shift towards a more balanced competition.

Current teams in Ranji Trophy

The Ranji Trophy features 38 teams that compete in the tournament. These teams represent various Indian states and cricket associations, each vying for the prestigious title. Here’s the list of current teams participating in the Ranji Trophy:

Here is the data in table format:

Team	Home Ground	First Season	First Title	Last Title	Total Titles
Andhra	ACA-VDCA International Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam	1953–54	–	–	–
Arunachal Pradesh	–	2018–19	–	–	–
Assam	ACA Stadium, Guwahati	1948–49	–	–	–
Baroda	Moti Bagh Stadium, Vadodara	1937–38	1942–43	2000–01	5
Bengal	Eden Gardens, Kolkata	1935–36	1938–39	1989–90	2
Bihar	Rajgir International Stadium, Nalanda	1936–37	–	–	–
Chhattisgarh	Nava Raipur International Stadium, Naya Raipur	2016–17	–	–	–
Chandigarh	Sector 16 Stadium, Chandigarh	2019–20	–	–	–
Delhi	Arun Jaitley Stadium	1934–35	1978–79	2007–08	7
Goa	Dr. Rajendra Prasad Stadium, Margao	1985–86	–	–	–
Gujarat	Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad	1935–36	2016–17	2016–17	1
Haryana	Chaudhary Bansi Lal Cricket Stadium, Rohtak	1970–71	1990–91	1990–91	1
Himachal Pradesh	HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala	1985–86	–	–	–
Hyderabad	Hyderabad Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad	1934–35	1937–38	1986–87	2
Jammu and Kashmir	Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium, Srinagar	1959–60	–	–	–
Jharkhand	JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi	2004–05	–	–	–
Karnataka	M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore	1934–35	1973–74	2014–15	8
Kerala	Trivandrum International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram	1957–58	–	–	–
Madhya Pradesh	Holkar Stadium, Indore	1941–42	1945–46	2021–22	5
Maharashtra	Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune	1934–35	1939–40	1940–41	2
Manipur	–	2018–19	–	–	–
Meghalaya	Meghalaya Cricket Association Cricket Ground, Shillong	2018–19	–	–	–
Mizoram	–	2018–19	–	–	–
Mumbai	Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai	1934–35	1934–35	2023–24	42
Nagaland	Nagaland Cricket Association Stadium, Sovima	2018–19	–	–	–
Odisha	Barabati Stadium, Cuttack	1949–50	–	–	–
Pondicherry	CAP Siechem Ground, Puducherry	2018–19	–	–	–
Punjab	Inderjit Singh Bindra Stadium, Mohali	1968–69	1992–93	1992–93	1
Railways	Karnail Singh Stadium, New Delhi	1958–59	2001–02	2004–05	2
Rajasthan	Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur	1935–36	2010–11	2011–12	2
Saurashtra	Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot	1936–37	2019–20	2022–23	2
Sikkim	Mining Cricket Stadium, Rangpo	2018–19	–	–	–
Services	Palam A Stadium, New Delhi	1949–50	–	–	–
Tamil Nadu	M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai	1934–35	1954–55	1987–88	2
Tripura	Maharaja Bir Bikram College Stadium, Agartala	1985–86	–	–	–
Uttar Pradesh	BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow	1934–35	2005–06	2005–06	1
Uttarakhand	Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Dehradun	2018–19	–	–	–
Vidarbha	New VCA Stadium, Nagpur	1957–58	2017–18	2024–25	3

Ranji Trophy format through the years

The Ranji Trophy has undergone numerous format changes since its inception in 1934. Here’s a brief overview of how the format has evolved:

• Early Years (1934–1950s): Initially, teams were grouped by zones (North, South, East, West), with knock-out rounds determining the winner.
  
• 1970s–2000s: The competition transitioned into a league format, with the top teams from each zone advancing to the knock-out rounds. Promotion and relegation between zones were introduced to increase competition.
  
• 2002–2017: The two-division format was introduced, with an Elite Group and a Plate Group, where teams played in a round-robin system. The top teams from each group advanced to the knock-out phase.
  
• 2018–Present: The tournament adopted a three-tier system with five teams qualifying for the quarter-finals from the top tier (Elite A and B groups), and two teams from the second-tier (Elite C) and one team from the Plate Group.

Ranji Trophy salary details

As of the latest season, players in the Ranji Trophy are paid based on their experience and the category they fall into. Here are the salary details for players participating in the tournament:

Category	Matches Played	Salary Per Match (4 Days Combined)
Seniors	40 or more	₹2.4 lakh
Mid Seniors	20–39	₹2 lakh
Juniors	Under 20	₹1.6 lakh

Impact on Indian cricket

How Ranji Trophy Winners Build India’s Cricket Core

The Ranji Trophy plays a key role in the development of Indian cricket, acting as the foundation for players who go on to represent India at the Test level.

• 80% of Indian Test players come from Ranji-winning teams, showcasing the importance of this domestic tournament.

Notable examples

• Rohit Sharma (Mumbai) – Known for his successful Ranji career, Sharma’s performances helped him make the leap to international cricket.
• KL Rahul (Karnataka) – With consistent performances in Ranji, Rahul became one of India’s premier Test batsmen.
• Rishabh Pant (Delhi) – Pant’s rapid rise in the Ranji Trophy was instrumental in his selection to the Indian team.

Red-Ball Cricket:

• The Ranji Trophy remains vital for red-ball cricket in India, offering players the chance to excel in Test match conditions and prepare for the highest level of international cricket.

Conclusion

The Ranji Trophy has completed over 90 years of rich cricketing history, and throughout its evolution, we have seen teams rise to prominence, and new ones emerge to challenge the long-standing giants of Indian domestic cricket.

• Mumbai leads the Ranji Trophy winners list with an impressive 42 titles, a legacy that has dominated the tournament since its inception.
  
• The growth of competition in recent years, with more states winning the prestigious title, shows the increasing depth and strength of domestic cricket in India.
  
• As Ranji Trophy winners continue to play a foundational role in Indian Test cricket, the tournament remains a crucial breeding ground for future stars.

The Ranji Trophy has truly been the backbone of Indian cricket, and its legacy will continue to shape the future of the game.

FAQ

1. Who has won the most Ranji Trophy titles?
   Mumbai holds the record with 42 titles.
   
2. Which team won the first Ranji Trophy?
   The first Ranji Trophy was won by Bombay in the 1934–35 season.
   
3. What is the complete list of Ranji Trophy winners?
   You can find the full Ranji Trophy winners list from 1934–2025 in this blog, including every season’s winner.
   
4. Which team holds the record for the most consecutive Ranji Trophy titles?
   Bombay holds the record for the most consecutive titles, with 15 in a row from 1941–1956.
   
5. Which team has never won the Ranji Trophy?
   Teams like Kerala, Bihar, and Arunachal Pradesh have participated but never won the Ranji Trophy.
   
6. Who are the most successful captains in Ranji Trophy history?
   Vijay Merchant, Bishan Singh Bedi, Anil Kumble, and Faiz Fazal are among the most successful captains in Ranji Trophy history.
   
7. What is the most memorable Ranji Trophy final?
   The 2017–18 Vidarbha vs Delhi final was memorable as Vidarbha won their first-ever Ranji Trophy title.
   
8. Which team won the Ranji Trophy in the 2024–25 season?
   Vidarbha won the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy, defeating Kerala in the final.
   
9. What is the significance of the Ranji Trophy for Indian cricket?
   The Ranji Trophy plays a crucial role in producing top-class players who go on to represent India in Test cricket. Players like Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant have all made their mark in Ranji before reaching the international stage.