The rivalry between the Vidarbha Cricket Team and the Kerala Cricket Team is a fascinating contest in Indian domestic cricket. Both teams compete in tournaments like the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, showcasing regional talent and emerging stars. Vidarbha has earned a reputation for its disciplined approach and strong all-round squad, while Kerala has shown consistent growth and produced talented cricketers over the years. Matches between these two teams have delivered competitive cricket, with each side striving for dominance in domestic tournaments. This timeline explores key encounters, milestones, and how both teams have developed their cricketing identity.
Latest Matches
Tournament
Venue
Date
Toss
Vidarbha Score
Kerala Score
Result
Series
Player of the Match
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (Elite Group A)
Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
Dec 02, 2025
Vidarbha won and elected to field first
165/4 (18.3/20 ov)
164 (19.2 ov)
Vidarbha won by 6 wickets (9 balls remaining)
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025/26
Yash Thakur (5/16)
Ranji Trophy (Final)
Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha, Nagpur
Feb 26 – Mar 02, 2025
Kerala won and elected to field first
379 (123.1 ov) & 375/9 dec (143.5 ov)
342 (125 ov)
Match drawn (Vidarbha won on 1st innings lead)
Ranji Trophy 2024/25
Danish Malewar
Ranji Trophy (Elite Group A)
Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha, Nagpur
Dec 2025 thriller – Vidarbha chased 165 comfortably
Other (Vijay Hazare/List A – limited records)
Rare
–
–
–
No major recent high-profile clashes noted
Key Moments Table
Match / Year
Key Moment
Hero / Impact Player
Why It Mattered
Ranji Trophy SF 2018-19
Umesh Yadav’s fiery spell (Kerala all out for 106 & 91)
Umesh Yadav
Innings victory sealed semi-final spot
Ranji Trophy QF 2017-18
Rajneesh Gurbani’s 7 wickets in 2nd inns
Rajneesh Gurbani
Turned 246-run lead into 412-run thrashing
Ranji Trophy Final 2024-25 Day 1
Danish Malewar’s unbeaten 138* after early collapse (24/3)
Danish Malewar
Stabilized & set foundation for 379
Ranji Trophy Final 2024-25 Day 4
Karun Nair’s gritty 132* in 2nd inns
Karun Nair
Secured massive lead & title on draw
SMAT Elite Group 2025
Yash Thakur’s match-winning bowling burst
Yash Thakur (POTM)
Defended 164 → won by 6 wkts with ease
Overall Rivalry Highlight
Vidarbha’s back-to-back dominance in knockouts (2017-19)
Team depth (Yadav, Gurbani, Nair era)
Established Vidarbha as red-ball powerhouse
Early Encounters and Kerala’s Growth Phase (2004–2010)
During the early years, encounters between the Vidarbha Cricket Team and the Kerala Cricket Team were largely balanced. Kerala, still developing its domestic cricket structure, occasionally lost to Vidarbha’s disciplined squad but showed potential in key matches. Vidarbha relied on a solid core of batsmen and bowlers to maintain consistency. These early matches were crucial for Kerala’s growth, providing players with the experience necessary to compete in higher levels of domestic cricket. Vidarbha, meanwhile, maintained control in several encounters but faced spirited opposition.
Year
Tournament
Format
Winner
2004
Ranji Trophy
First-class
Vidarbha
2006
Vijay Hazare Trophy
ODI
Kerala
2008
Ranji Trophy
First-class
Vidarbha
2010
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
T20
Kerala
Balanced Contests and Rising Competitiveness (2011–2015)
Between 2011 and 2015, the rivalry became more competitive as Kerala strengthened its squad. Matches were often closely contested, with both teams showcasing quality batting and effective bowling strategies. Vidarbha continued to rely on experienced players, while Kerala introduced emerging talent that challenged opponents effectively. These contests highlighted the growing competitiveness of Indian domestic cricket and provided young players an opportunity to shine under pressure.
Year
Series
Format
Winner
2011
Ranji Trophy
First-class
Draw
2012
Vijay Hazare Trophy
ODI
Kerala
2014
Ranji Trophy
First-class
Vidarbha
2015
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
T20
Kerala
Vidarbha’s Rise and Domestic Dominance (2016–2018)
From 2016 to 2018, Vidarbha emerged as a dominant force in domestic cricket. The Vidarbha Cricket Team won crucial matches against Kerala through consistent performances in batting and bowling. Kerala, while competitive, struggled to overcome Vidarbha’s experience and depth. Matches were often decided by strategic gameplay and individual brilliance from Vidarbha’s key players. This era solidified Vidarbha’s status as a strong domestic team and highlighted Kerala’s continued effort to improve.
Year
Tournament
Format
Winner
2016
Ranji Trophy
First-class
Vidarbha
2016
Vijay Hazare Trophy
ODI
Vidarbha
2017
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
T20
Kerala
2018
Ranji Trophy
First-class
Vidarbha
Kerala’s Competitive Growth (2019–2020)
Kerala’s domestic structure matured during 2019–2020, allowing the team to challenge Vidarbha more effectively. Matches became more balanced, with Kerala showing improved batting depth and bowling options. The rivalry during this period offered exciting contests, often going down to the final sessions or overs. Vidarbha continued to be competitive, relying on experience and tactical gameplay. Fans enjoyed closely fought games that reflected the rising standards of domestic cricket in India.
Year
Series
Format
Winner
2019
Ranji Trophy
First-class
Draw
2019
Vijay Hazare Trophy
ODI
Kerala
2020
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
T20
Vidarbha
2020
Ranji Trophy
First-class
Vidarbha
T20 Era and Aggressive Cricket (2021–2022)
The introduction of T20 competitions added a new dimension to the rivalry. Both teams adopted aggressive batting and strategic bowling approaches in the Vidarbha Cricket Team vs Kerala Cricket Team matches. Kerala’s young players gained confidence, while Vidarbha leveraged its experience to maintain dominance. Matches were fast-paced, high-scoring, and often unpredictable, making the rivalry more entertaining for fans.
Year
Series
Format
Winner
2021
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
T20
Kerala
2021
Vijay Hazare Trophy
ODI
Vidarbha
2022
Ranji Trophy
First-class
Vidarbha
2022
T20 Series
T20
Draw
Emerging Talent and Future Prospects (2023–2025)
In recent years, both teams have focused on nurturing young talent for future senior-level cricket. Kerala continues to develop promising players who can challenge Vidarbha’s experienced squad, while Vidarbha maintains its reputation as a consistent and disciplined team. Upcoming matches are expected to be highly competitive, with both teams striving to showcase their strength and grooming players for higher-level tournaments. The future of this rivalry promises exciting encounters and talent development.
Year
Series
Venue
Winner
2023
Vijay Hazare Trophy
Kerala
Kerala
2023
Ranji Trophy
Vidarbha
Vidarbha
2024
T20 Series
Neutral
Draw
2025
Domestic Series
TBD
TBD
Conclusion
The timeline of matches between the Vidarbha Cricket Team and the Kerala Cricket Team reflects a rivalry rooted in development, competitiveness, and domestic excellence. Vidarbha has often maintained an edge due to experience, but Kerala’s growth has made contests closer and more exciting. From early encounters to modern T20 matches, the rivalry continues to produce talented players and thrilling games. As both teams evolve, this domestic rivalry promises more competitive matches and opportunities for emerging stars to shine in Indian cricket.
