Vidarbha’s Harsh Dubey Breaks All-Time Ranji Trophy Record To Script History

22-year-old Vidarbha spinner Harsh Dubey has gone into the history books, breaking the all-time record for the most wickets taken in a Ranji Trophy season.

Dubey entered the Ranji Trophy Final with 66 wickets under his belt and needed three more to break the all-time record set by Bihar’s Ashutosh Aman (68) in the 2018/19 edition. The left-arm spinner scripted history when he trapped fast bowler MD Nidheesh LBW to reduce Kerala to 338/9.

With one more innings left in the clash, Dubey looks primed to become the first-ever bowler in Ranji history to breach the 70-wicket mark in a single season. 

An outstanding start

Dubey is now just three wickets away from taking 100 first-class wickets. So far in red-ball cricket, the 22-year-old has taken 97 wickets at an average of 20.00 and an economy of 2.9.

In the 2023/24 season, he picked 23 wickets at an average of 28.90, but he’s levelled up big time this season, having so far taken 69 wickets at an average of 17.00, striking once every 38 balls. 

Vidarbha in control of the Ranji Final

Dubey’s efforts helped Vidarbha restrict Kerala to 342 and take a 37-run lead. With two days left in the final, they are in pole position to win the Ranji Trophy yet again. 

Vidarbha last won the Ranji title in 2017/18 and 2018/19, two seasons in a row, both under Faiz Fazal's captaincy.