Ranji Trophy winners list is one of the most searched topics among cricket fans who want to understand the rich history of India’s premier domestic cricket tournament. The Ranji Trophy has been the backbone of Indian cricket for nearly a century and has produced some of the greatest players the country has ever seen.
From legendary teams like Mumbai and Karnataka to rising champions like Saurashtra and Vidarbha, the tournament reflects the true competitive spirit of Indian cricket. This article presents a complete and detailed explanation of the Ranji Trophy winners list, its history, format changes, dominant teams, famous finals, and its importance in shaping Indian cricket.
Introduction to the Ranji Trophy
The Ranji Trophy is India’s top domestic first-class cricket tournament. It is organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India and is played between regional and state teams from across the country.
The tournament is named after Maharaja Ranjitsinhji of ( jamnagar) Nawanagar, popularly known as Ranji, who was one of the finest batsmen of his era and played international cricket for England. The competition began in the 1934–35 season and has been held almost every year since then.
Over time, the Ranji Trophy has become the most respected platform for Indian cricketers to prove themselves and earn selection to the national team.
Importance of the Ranji Trophy in Indian Cricket
The Ranji Trophy plays a crucial role in Indian cricket development. Before the rise of the Indian Premier League, this tournament was the primary pathway to international cricket.
Even today, strong Ranji performances are highly valued by selectors, especially for Test cricket. Legends such as Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, and Virat Kohli all built their foundations through Ranji cricket.
The Ranji Trophy winners list highlights which teams dominated domestic cricket in different eras and reflects the changing balance of power within Indian cricket.
Evolution of the Tournament Format
The Ranji Trophy has evolved significantly since its inception.
In the early years, it followed a knockout format with very few teams. As Indian cricket expanded, more states and regions were added, leading to structural changes.
Over the decades, the tournament introduced:
Zonal group systems
Elite and Plate divisions
League and knockout combinations
Promotion and relegation models
These changes were made to maintain competitiveness and give smaller teams a fair chance to grow.
Ranji Trophy Winners List by Season
Below is the complete Ranji Trophy winners list from the beginning of the tournament to the most recent season.
Complete Ranji Trophy Winners List
1934–35: Bombay
1935–36: Bombay
1936–37: Nawanagar
1937–38: Hyderabad
1938–39: Bengal
1939–40: Maharashtra
1940–41: Maharashtra
1941–42: Bombay
1942–43: Baroda
1943–44: Western India
1944–45: Bombay
1945–46: Holkar
1946–47: Baroda
1947–48: Holkar
1948–49: Bombay
1949–50: Baroda
1950–51: Holkar
1951–52: Bombay
1952–53: Holkar
1953–54: Bombay
1954–55: Madras
1955–56: Bombay
1956–57: Bombay
1957–58: Baroda
1958–59: Bombay
1959–60: Bombay
1960–61: Rajasthan
1961–62: Bombay
1962–63: Bombay
1963–64: Bombay
1964–65: Bombay
1965–66: Bombay
1966–67: Bombay
1967–68: Bombay
1968–69: Bombay
1969–70: Bombay
1970–71: Bombay
1971–72: Bombay
1972–73: Bombay
1973–74: Karnataka
1974–75: Bombay
1975–76: Bombay
1976–77: Bombay
1977–78: Karnataka
1978–79: Delhi
1979–80: Delhi
1980–81: Bombay
1981–82: Delhi
1982–83: Karnataka
1983–84: Bombay
1984–85: Bombay
1985–86: Delhi
1986–87: Bombay
1987–88: Tamil Nadu
1988–89: Delhi
1989–90: Bengal
1990–91: Haryana
1991–92: Delhi
1992–93: Punjab
1993–94: Bombay
1994–95: Bombay
1995–96: Karnataka
1996–97: Mumbai
1997–98: Karnataka
1998–99: Karnataka
1999–2000: Mumbai
2000–01: Baroda
2001–02: Railways
2002–03: Mumbai
2003–04: Mumbai
2004–05: Railways
2005–06: Uttar Pradesh
2006–07: Mumbai
2007–08: Delhi
2008–09: Mumbai
2009–10: Mumbai
2010–11: Rajasthan
2011–12: Rajasthan
2012–13: Mumbai
2013–14: Karnataka
2014–15: Karnataka
2015–16: Mumbai
2016–17: Gujarat
2017–18: Vidarbha
2018–19: Vidarbha
2019–20: Saurashtra
2020–21: Not held
2021–22: Madhya Pradesh
2022–23: Saurashtra
2023–24: Mumbai
This Ranji Trophy winners list clearly shows how different teams dominated different periods of Indian domestic cricket.
Most Successful Teams in Ranji Trophy History
Mumbai
Mumbai is the most successful team in the Ranji Trophy winners list history. Formerly known as Bombay, the team has won the title more than 40 times.
Their dominance from the 1950s to the 1980s remains unmatched. Mumbai produced legends like Sunil Gavaskar, Vijay Merchant, Dilip Vengsarkar, Sachin Tendulkar, and Rohit Sharma.
The city’s strong cricket culture and school-level structure have been key reasons behind its success.
Karnataka
Karnataka is one of the strongest modern-era teams. With multiple titles, especially from the 1970s onward, Karnataka has consistently remained competitive.
Players such as Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, and KL Rahul emerged from their Ranji system.
Delhi
Delhi has also featured prominently in the Ranji Trophy winners list, especially during the late 1970s to early 1990s.
The team produced several international stars including Bishan Singh Bedi, Mohinder Amarnath, Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, and Ishant Sharma.
Saurashtra
Saurashtra has emerged as a modern powerhouse. After years of close defeats, they finally won their maiden title in 2019–20 and followed it with another championship in 2022–23.
Their success highlights how smaller associations can rise with proper planning and leadership.
Vidarbha
Vidarbha surprised everyone by winning back-to-back Ranji Trophy titles in 2017–18 and 2018–19. Their disciplined bowling attack and strong domestic structure transformed them into champions.
Teams with Single Ranji Trophy Titles
Several teams have lifted the trophy once, which still remains a remarkable achievement.
These include:
Haryana
Punjab
Railways
Uttar Pradesh
Gujarat
Madhya Pradesh
Tamil Nadu
Bengal
Rajasthan
Each of these victories holds a special place in Indian domestic cricket history.
Ranji Trophy Finals and Drawn Matches Rule
In many seasons, the Ranji Trophy final ended in a draw. In such cases, the winner was decided based on the first-innings lead.
This rule made the tournament extremely tactical. Teams focused heavily on strong batting performances in the first innings, knowing it could decide the championship.
This unique feature is one reason why the Ranji Trophy remains one of the most challenging domestic tournaments in the world.
Role of Ranji Trophy in Producing Indian Test Cricketers
The Ranji Trophy winners list is closely linked with India’s Test cricket success.
Most Indian Test players earn selection based on consistent Ranji performances. The tournament tests players in:
Long-duration matches
Varying pitch conditions
Mental endurance
Technique against red-ball swing and spin
Even today, selectors prioritize Ranji form when building the national Test squad.
Famous Ranji Trophy Records
Some unforgettable records associated with the tournament include:
Highest team titles by Mumbai
Highest individual score of 443 not out by B. B. Nimbalkar
Most runs by Wasim Jaffer
Most wickets by Rajinder Goel
Youngest centurion Sachin Tendulkar at age 15
These records underline the historic depth of the competition.
Modern Era Changes in Ranji Trophy
In recent years, the tournament has introduced several improvements:
Neutral venues to reduce home advantage
Video analysis support
Better umpiring standards
Improved pitches for balanced contests
Live streaming for fans
These changes have helped maintain the tournament’s relevance in the era of T20 leagues.
Difference Between Ranji Trophy and IPL
While the IPL focuses on entertainment and short-format cricket, the Ranji Trophy represents discipline, patience, and traditional cricket skills.
IPL brings fame and money, but Ranji Trophy builds technique and temperament. That is why experienced players often say that strong Ranji performances are the true test of a cricketer.
Why the Ranji Trophy Winners List Matters
The Ranji Trophy winners list is more than just statistics. It tells the story of Indian cricket’s growth.
It shows:
How regional cricket developed
Which teams dominated different decades
How smaller states rose to prominence
The changing nature of Indian pitches and strategies
For historians, fans, and aspiring cricketers, this list is a valuable record of India’s cricketing journey.
Read also: WPL First Century Player Name: Complete Story of the Historic Record
Future of the Ranji Trophy
Despite the rise of franchise cricket, the Ranji Trophy remains the heart of Indian cricket.
With renewed focus on Test cricket and red-ball skills, the importance of the tournament is expected to grow further. Young players now see Ranji success as the most reliable route to international recognition.
The competition will continue to evolve, but its legacy remains unmatched.
Conclusion
The Ranji Trophy winners list reflects nearly 90 years of Indian cricket history. From Mumbai’s unmatched dominance to the rise of teams like Vidarbha and Saurashtra, the tournament has continuously evolved with time.
It has produced legends, shaped careers, and strengthened the foundation of Indian cricket. Even in the modern era, the Ranji Trophy remains the ultimate test of skill, patience, and character.
For every cricket lover, understanding the Ranji Trophy winners list is essential to truly appreciate how Indian cricket became one of the strongest forces in world cricket.
