Vidarbha Leads Day 1 of Ranji Trophy Final

The Ranji Trophy final between Vidarbha and Kerala saw Vidarbha finish Day 1 at 254/4, thanks to a 215-run fourth-wicket partnership between Danish Malewar (138 not out) and Karun Nair (86). After an early collapse at 24/3, Vidarbha's strategy of sending lower-order batsmen early helped stabilize against Kerala's bowling attack led by MD Nidheesh. This final marks Kerala's first appearance, while Vidarbha, the two-time champions, seek to reclaim the title after a strong season with eight wins. Kerala's journey to the final was marked by narrow victories, highlighting their resilience despite being relatively inexperienced at this level. Vidarbha, with stars like Yash Rathod and Harsh Dubey, have shown consistent form, making them the favorites in this clash.