Harsh Dubey is a name that has been making headlines in Indian domestic cricket. A left-arm spinner and all-rounder from Vidarbha, he made news with his record-breaking Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season, when he created a new record for the most wickets in a season. His regular performances have got cricket enthusiasts and experts sitting up and taking notice, and several feel that he may be playing at the top level very soon.

Who is Harsh Dubey?

Harsh Dubey was born on July 23, 2002, in Pune, Maharashtra. He fell in love with cricket at a young age. His hard work and talent made him play for Vidarbha Cricket Team in domestic cricket, where he has impressed with his bowling as well as batting.

Harsh Dubey's Cricket Career

First-Class (Ranji Trophy) Performance:

• Matches: 18
• Wickets Taken: 97
• Best Bowling Figures: 6/36
• Bowling Average: 19.98
• Runs Scored: 709
• Highest Score: 76

List A and T20 Cricket:

• List A Matches: 20
• Wickets Taken: 21
• Runs Scored: 213
• T20 Matches: 16
• T20 Wickets: 9

Shattering Records in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy

The 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season was a turning point for Dubey. He took 69 wickets, setting a new record for most wickets in a season, eclipsing Ashutosh Aman's previous record of 68 wickets. His unforgettable bowling performances played a crucial role in Vidarbha winning the title, proving that he is a match-winner.

Also see : Ranji Trophy 2025 Final: Kerala vs Vidarbha: A Thrilling Contest in Nagpur

Training with Ravichandran Ashwin

Harsh Dubey honed his bowling skills under the guidance of Ravichandran Ashwin while playing club cricket in Chennai. His coaching under Ashwin helped him to perfect variations and match sense, and thus he turned into a more feared bowler.

Harsh Dubey's Future in Cricket

With his ability and regular performances, Harsh Dubey is regarded as a future India player. He is also a good bet for the Indian Premier League (IPL), where teams are constantly looking for quality spin bowlers.

Harsh Dubey's path from a young hopeful cricketer to a record-shattering Ranji Trophy player is motivational. His skill to take wickets when the pressure is on and also score runs with the bat makes him a must-have player for any team. Be it IPL or the Indian national team, Dubey's future seems promising, and Indian cricket enthusiasts must watch out for this new talent.

Also Read : 

Ranji Trophy 2025 Final: Kerala vs Vidarbha: A Thrilling Contest in Nagpur

The Ranji Trophy season 2024-25 was wrapped up by Vidarbha as the champions after winning their third title in the tournament's history. Though the final match against Kerala was drawn with a thrilling contest, Vidarbha won the trophy based on their first-innings advantage.

Champions and Runners-up:

Award Winners:

Top Performers:

Prize Money:

ALSO SEE:  Virat Kohli reaches new ODI milestone

Final Match Summary:
The last game between Vidarbha and Kerala witnessed some aggressive cricketing. Danish Malewar was the pick of Vidarbha players, scoring 153 in the first innings and 73 in the second innings. Kerala tried its best, but Vidarbha's first-innings advantage was sufficient to bring home the championship
Major Highlights of the Season:

• Harsh Dubey's all-round performance was a turning point in Vidarbha's victory, topping the wicket charts and contributing significantly with the bat.
  
• Shubham Sharma's consistency with the bat took Madhya Pradesh to the knockout rounds.
  
• Anshul Kamboj's record 10-wicket haul against Kerala was one of the best bowling performances of the season.
  

The 2024-25 Ranji Trophy saw some great cricket, with Vidarbha establishing their dominance once again. The performances of young guns like Malewar, Dubey, and Rathod are a sign of good things to come for Indian domestic cricket.

Winners by Edition:

The final of the Ranji Trophy is being played out and the title will be determined on March 2, 2025. The 90th Ranji Trophy is nearing its conclusion and the game between Kerala and Vidarbha has been nothing less than an enthralling contest at the VCA Stadium in Jamtha, Nagpur. The elite tournament of Ranji Trophy was inaugurated for the first time during the 1934-35 season and is considered India's top first-class tournament. Originally, it had been titled Cricket Championship of India and later called Ranji Trophy in the succeeding year.

VIDARBHA HAS WON 3 RANJI TROPHY TITLES IN JUST 7 YEARS 🤯

- New force of Indian Domestic Cricket. pic.twitter.com/grTjVqWxLd

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 2, 2025

ALSO SEE: Karun Nair's Ranji Trophy Heroics: 86 & 135 – A Strong Case for India Test Recall!

Vidarbha's Rise to Domestic Cricket
Vidarbha's journey to Ranji Trophy glory began in 2017-18 when they reached their first final. Faiz Fazal led them to their first title by defeating Delhi. They retained their title the following year by defeating Saurashtra, joining an elite group of teams that have won consecutive titles.
Nair, during his game against Kerala, was observed showing great calmness while batting, scoring his hundred off 184 balls. His whack, marked with seven fours and two sixes, contributed to Vidarbha reaching 249/4 at stumps, taking their overall lead to 286 runs after Kerala's first innings of 342.

Karun Nair, the gifted Indian batsman, is back in the news again for his unbelievable consistency in domestic cricket. Having become only the second Indian to score a Test triple century, Nair's international career took an unexpected turn, but his recent performances indicate that he is now set for a national comeback. With multiple centuries and match-winning knocks, Nair is proving that he still has a lot to offer Indian cricket.

A Match-Winning Performance

Karun Nair stepped up when the chips were down. 

He hit 86 in the first innings and then an excellent 135 in the second.

His timely knocks enabled Vidarbha to gain the upper hand over Kerala in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 final.

Karun Nair's Recent Domestic Cricket Performance

Nair's last 17 innings in domestic cricket have been nothing but breathtaking:                                                                                            122(108), 44(52), 163*(107), 111*(103), 112(101), 122*(82), 88*(44), 27(31), 39(80), 4(7), 3(13), 105(193), 122(243), 45(70), 6(17), 86(188), 135(295)**

• 860 runs in Ranji Trophy 2024-25 with a dazzling average of 57.33.
• 779 runs in Vijay Hazare Trophy with an astounding average of 389.50 with five centuries.

Such a consistency across formats makes him a prime candidate for an India comeback.

The 'Nine' Celebration – A Message to Selectors?

After crossing his century, Nair gestured a 'nine' with his hands. Several people felt this was a message to BCCI selectors, as he has been overlooked for international selection since 2017. However, Nair soon explained that it was a premeditated gesture for the Vidarbha support staff, as he was celebrating his ninth century of the season.

Should Karun Nair be recalled to an India Test?

Even after scoring a record triple century (303*) in 2016, Nair has been ignored for the Indian team since 2017. But with India's middle-order struggling in the current England series, his present form makes him a prime choice for selection.

Karun Nair's run-scoring exploits in the Ranji Trophy final and in the domestic season have once again raised questions regarding his inclusion in the Indian Test team. Given his experience, reliability, and desire for runs, he could very well prove to be India's solution for the middle order.

Karun Nair has been brilliant this season and has carried that form into the Ranji Trophy final. In the first innings, he was unlucky to be run out on 86 after a mix-up with Rohan Kunnummal. But he made it in the second innings, helping Vidarbha to build a strong lead of over 250 runs. At this time, he is still unbeaten on 100 off 193 balls, with seven fours and two sixes.  

This was his ninth century of the 2025 season five came in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and four in the Ranji Trophy. In this Ranji season, he has scored 828 runs at an average of 55.2.

💯 for Karun Nair 👏

A splendid knock on the big stage under pressure 💪

It's his 9⃣th 1⃣0⃣0⃣ in all formats combined this season, and the celebration says it all👌🙌#RanjiTrophy | @IDFCFIRSTBank | #Final

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/up5GVaflpp pic.twitter.com/9MvZSHKKMY

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) March 1, 2025

ALSO READ: Tilak Varma vs. Mayank Yadav : A Thrilling Pace Battle in DY Patil T20 Cup

Karun Nair reached his century with a single kept his celebration simple. He held up nine fingers toward the dressing room, showing his nine centuries this season. With India’s tour of England coming up later this year, this knock is a strong message to the selectors to bring back to the Indian team. By teatime on Day 4, he had put Vidarbha in a commanding position, helping them to take their lead over Kerala to 226 runs with seven wickets.

Kerala are into the Finals for the first time but they take on a Vidarbha side that has been on the rise. Vidarbha, since their triumph in 2017-2018, looked a strong team in the Ranji Trophy, building well with what they have. This season too they have some strong players with Karun Nair looking really good throughout along with Atharva Taide who has stepped up when required. Kerala will have their task cut-out. Their march to the Finals has been really admirable but they take on a side that has been to the top and commanded with ease. 

VID vs KER Match Details

Date: February 26th, 2025

Time:  9:30 AM IST

Venue: Nagpur

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VID vs KER Weather Report

Clear weather and a nice evening is expected for the game.

VID vs KER Pitch Report

Nagpur is likely to spin later on and will be better to bat first on.

Vidarbha vs Kerala Predicted Playing XI

Kerala Playing XI

Akshay Chandran, Rohan Kunnummal, Varun Nayanar, Sachin Baby, Jalaj Saxena, Mohammed Azharuddeen, Salman Nizar, Ahammed Imran, Aditya Sarwate, MD Nideesh, Nedumankuzhy Basil

Vidarbha Playing XI

Atharva Taide, Dhruv Shorey, Parth Rekhade, Danish Malewar, Karun Nair, Yash Rathod, Akshay Wadkar, Harsh Dubey, Nachiket Bhute, Darshan Nalkande, Yash Thakur 

VID vs KER Key Players

Jalaj Saxena

In a parellal world without the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, Saxena could have well had a long career with India. At 38, he is enjoying his twilight years without the pressure of making the Indian Team anymore. He has a chance now though to get on the big stage again and enjoy the spotlight with a good spell on a track that will support his bowling and also let him bat to his pace.

Karun Nair

Karun Nair has had a breakthrough season this year. He was incredible across formats with List A in particular being a special format for him. He now has a chance though to cap it off with the biggest title Indian Domestic Cricket can offer, the Ranji Trophy.

VID vs KER Match Tips

Vidarbha start favorites with the experience they have in big games.

Match Prediction: Vidarbha Will Win the Match

The former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) pacer is in firing form in domestic cricket and is eyeing a return to Test cricket when India travel to England in the upcoming summer.

Defending champions Mumbai are fighting hard in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25, and the 33-year-old Shardul Thakur is a key reason for Mumbai’s stable running in the ongoing domestic first-class cricket.

Shardul Thakur is in outstanding form in Ranji Trophy 2024-25

In the ongoing Quarter-final of the Ranji Trophy 2024-25, while Mumbai scored 315 runs in the first innings against Haryana, Haryana were bowled out for 301 runs, as Mumbai earned a crucial lead of 14 runs, thanks to Shardul Thakur’s six-fer. On the third day morning, Haryana lost the last five wickets only for 38 runs, and Thakur picked up all those five wickets. The right-arm pacer ended the innings with the bowling figures 18.5-3-58-6.

Shardul Thakur, who has played 11 Tests, 47 ODIs, and 25 T20Is for India, last served for the national team during the 2023 Boxing Day Test against South Africa at Centurion.

Although Thakur was unsold in the latest IPL mega auctions, the right-arm pacer is the second leading wicket-taker for Mumbai in the ongoing Ranji Trophy with 30 wickets in eight matches. But most importantly, as a right-handed batter, he has scored 396 runs in nine innings with an average of 44.00 and a strike rate of 101.79, including one century and three half-centuries. While Mumbai's batting line-up has struggled mostly this Ranji season, Thakur played a crucial role with the bat in the lower order along with Tanush Kotian.

See Also: Indian anchor Yesha Sagar has left the Bangladesh Premier League after an issue over a missed dinner

It's always on my mind: Shardul Thakur on his international cricket return goal

Thakur is playing a strong all-rounder role for Mumbai in this Ranji season, and he feels that it will help him to return to the Indian Test team, who will travel to England this upcoming June for a five-match Test series. All-rounder Thakur can be a valuable asset in the Indian team for the England tour.

Thakur said, "Yes, absolutely. I believe I'm in contention. The next step is to make my place in the team and earn selection. That's always the goal. Right now, I'm playing at the Ranji Trophy level. International cricket is the highest level we all strive for. It's always on my mind; it's the motivation to play for the country that drives me forward. That passion, that fire, never fades."

Shardul Thakur is ready for County cricket

As Thakur is currently absent from the upcoming IPL season, he is ready for the upcoming English county cricket season if he gets any offer. 

Thakur added, "If I get an offer, I'll definitely play. It would be a great new experience. Right now, there are no concrete plans, but county cricket has 6-7 matches around that time. If selected, it will help me adjust to English conditions before the (England) tour.”

In his international cricket career, Thakur has recorded 31 Test wickets, 65 ODI wickets, and 33 T20I wickets. The right-handed batter has also recorded four Test half-centuries and one ODI half-century along with maintaining the T20I strike rate of 181.57. 

Suryakumar Yadav, is ready to appear in the Ranji Trophy 2025 quarter-final match against Haryana.He will be the one to give Mumbai the necessary aggressive batting needed to set the tone for the innings.

On other side Shivam Dube's performance will come in Mumbai plays at upcoming quarter-final match against Haryana. 

Mumbai Road to quarter-finals

Mumbai have qualified for the quarter-finals by completing the league stage second in their group, and a match lost  to Jammu and Kashmir. Dominating performances in the league stage, with a much  win against Meghalaya, secured Mumbai a spot in the knockouts. Yadav and Dube are expected to help Mumbai to win its 42nd Ranji Trophy title.

ALSO SEE:  Where to Watch WPL 2025 Live: TV and Streaming Details

Match Details:

• Fixture: Mumbai vs Haryana – Ranji Trophy Quarter-Final
• Date: February 8, 2025
• Venue: Eden Gardens , Kolkata, West Bengal
• Time: 9:30 AM IST

Suryakumar Yadav preparing for the Ranji Quarters. 🌟 pic.twitter.com/XEue2UMeh7

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 7, 2025

Live Stream and Telecast:

• TV: Watch live on Sports18.
• Online: Free streaming on JioCinema (app & website).
• International: Can be watch in sports channels like Willow TV (USA), Sky Sports (UK), Fox Sports (Australia).
• Updates: Follow BCCI’s social media for live scores and highlights.

Exceptation from the match:

Lahli pitch is known to help the bowler mainly pacer. Mumbai strong batsmen, including Yadav, Dube, and skipper Ajinkya Rahane, would take  Haryana's bowling attack. For Haryana, facing the match would like to win and entry the semi-finals.

It's going to be a highly charged knockout pressure situation, with players returning, which promises this quarter-final to be an exciting contest.

The 29-year-old Railways right-arm pacer Himanshu Sangwan came to the limelight after dismissing the former Indian captain Virat Kohli in the latest Ranji Trophy match. He has revealed what’s on his mind when facing the Delhi superstar, Kohli.

Himanshu Sangwan has been playing domestic cricket since late 2019. While he has some good records as the frontline pacer for Railways, their match against Delhi in the last round of the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 group stage was a special game for them. It was the Ranji Trophy return for Kohli after more than 12 years, while his previous Ranji Trophy match was in November 2012.

Talking about that match, Sangwan revealed that there were talks about the presence of Kohli and Rishabh Pant in the Delhi squad. However, Pant ultimately didn’t play after appearing in the previous Ranji match for Delhi, but Kohli returned. 

Also Watch: Sachin Tendulkar's inspirational advice to young cricketers

I am leading the Railways' pace attack: Himanshu Sangwan

Only one day before the Ranji Trophy match between Delhi and Railways, it was decided that the match would be streamed live, and Railways learned it later. While Sangwan led Railways’ pace attack, everyone hoped for his success against Kohli. 

Talking about the situation before the match, Sangwan told Hindustan Times, "Before the match, there were talks about Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant going to play for Delhi. At the time, we didn't know that the match would be aired live. We slowly learned that Rishabh Pant wouldn't play, but Virat would, and the match would be streamed live. I am leading the Railways' pace attack. Every team member told me that they thought I would dismiss Virat Kohli.”

I just wanted to focus on my own strengths: Sangwan

Kohli only managed to score six runs before Sangwan bowled him. It was a dream wicket for him. Although a bus driver told him to bowl at the fourth-fifth stump line to pick up Kohli’s wicket, Sangwan had self-belief as he only focused on his strengths to achieve success. 

Sangwan added, "The bus in which we were travelling, even the bus driver told me that you know that you need to bowl at the fourth-fifth stump line to Virat Kohli, and then he will get out. I had self-belief. I just wanted to focus on my own strengths rather than someone else's weaknesses. I bowled to my strengths and ended up getting the wicket."

After Railways scored 241 runs, Delhi replied with 374 runs. In the third innings, Railways were bundled out for only 114 runs, and Delhi recorded a victory by an innings and 19 runs.

Sanju Samson, who is really proficient at cricket and plays for India, injury in his index finger. Samson got hurt because Jofra Archer threw the ball inordinately speedily and it hit his finger. Sanju was playing against England in Mumbai. Now, because his finger Injury, he can't play for more than a month and will miss the Ranji Trophy quarterfinals. His team, Kerala, will miss him a lot because he's such a good player.

Sanju Samson Suffers Finger Fracture, Set to Miss Ranji Trophy Quarterfinals

The Captain of the Rajasthan Royals team had to go back to his house in Thiruvananthapuram. He's going to improve at the National Cricket Academy before he starts practicing again. A physiotherapist, who is knowledgeable about injuries, stated that Samson needs approximately five or six weeks to fully recover, and the cricket authorities must approve his return before he can participate in major cricket matches again.

Sanju Samson likely to be out of cricket action for 6 weeks after the ball hit on the gloves during the first over of the 5th T20I. [Asianet News]

- With the pain, he continued to bat in the final T20I, waiting for a strong comeback during IPL 🤞 pic.twitter.com/TCqzop1l2v

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 3, 2025

"Samson has fractured his right index finger. It will take him five to six weeks before he can resume proper nets. So there is no chance of him playing the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal for Kerala (vs J&K) in Pune from February 8-12," a BCCI official confirmed on conditions of anonymity.

ALSO READ: Cricketers Who Quit the Game to Become Bollywood Stars

In August, he'll be able to play for India again when they play a few brief matches in Bangladesh. But before that time, Samson will probably play in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.

Samson had entered the T20I series against England in sublime form, having scored three centuries in seven games against Bangladesh and South Africa. However, his performances in the England series were underwhelming, managing only 51 runs across five innings. His struggles against short pitched deliveries from Archer, Mark Wood, and Saqib Mahmood were evident, with most of his dismissals coming inside the Powerplay.