Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Andhra Halts Vidarbha's Unbeaten Streak with Commanding Win
In a thrilling Group A encounter at Vizianagaram, Andhra delivered a stunning performance to defeat the defending champions Vidarbha by eight wickets, marking Vidarbha's first loss in the Ranji Trophy in two years. The hero of the match was Shaikh Rasheed, whose magnificent unbeaten 132 off 144 balls anchored Andhra's successful chase of 259 runs.
Rasheed and Bhui Forge Match-Winning Partnership
Chasing a target of 259, Andhra found themselves in a strong position thanks to a crucial 145-run partnership for the third wicket between Rasheed and captain Ricky Bhui. Bhui remained not out on 64, providing solid support as Rasheed dominated the Vidarbha bowling attack. This victory not only propelled Andhra to the top of Group A but also ended Vidarbha's impressive 15-match unbeaten run in the competition, a streak that had lasted since the 2023-24 season.
Brief Scores: Vidarbha 295 & 191 lost to Andhra 228 & 259/2 in 56.1 overs (Shaikh Rasheed 132 not out, Ricky Bhui 64 not out) by 8 wickets.
Madhya Pradesh Secures Emphatic 217-Run Victory Over Karnataka
In Group B action at Alur, Madhya Pradesh showcased their bowling prowess to crush Karnataka by 217 runs. Chasing a daunting target of 362 in the fourth innings, Karnataka were bundled out for just 144 runs. The spin duo of Saransh Jain and Sagar Solanki were instrumental, each claiming three wickets to dismantle the Karnataka batting lineup.
Karnataka's Batting Collapse Despite Aneesh's Resistance
KV Aneesh emerged as the lone fighter for Karnataka, scoring 57 off 142 balls for his second half-century of the match. However, his efforts were in vain as the rest of the batting order faltered against Madhya Pradesh's disciplined bowling attack. This comprehensive win strengthens Madhya Pradesh's position in Group B, highlighting their potential as serious contenders in this season's Ranji Trophy.
Brief Scores: Madhya Pradesh 323 & 229/8 decl. beat Karnataka 191 & 144 all out in 67.5 overs (KV Aneesh 57; Sagar Solanki 3/20, Saransh Jain 3/37).
Other Notable Results from Ranji Trophy 2025-26
Group A Highlights
In Bhubaneswar, Tamil Nadu secured a convincing 207-run victory over Odisha. Meanwhile, in Lucknow, Jharkhand delivered a dominant performance, beating Uttar Pradesh by an innings and 301 runs, with Shekhar's five-wicket haul playing a key role.
Group B and C Action
Maharashtra defeated Goa by eight wickets in Pune, while in Group C, Bengal triumphed over Services by an innings and 46 runs in Kalyani. Uttarakhand secured a nine-wicket win against Tripura in Agartala, and Haryana emerged victorious over Assam in Guwahati. Railways also notched an eight-wicket win against Gujarat in Nadiad.
Group D Developments
Mumbai continued their strong form with a nine-wicket win over Hyderabad in Hyderabad. In Jaipur, the match between Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan ended in a draw, while Delhi and Chhattisgarh also played out a draw in Bengaluru. The fixture between Puducherry and Jammu & Kashmir in Puducherry was drawn as well.
These results underscore the competitive nature of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season, with several teams making strong statements early in the tournament. The performances of players like Shaikh Rasheed and the bowling units of Madhya Pradesh and other sides are setting the stage for an exciting campaign ahead.
