The rivalry between the Vidarbha Cricket Team and the Kerala Cricket Team is a notable contest in Indian domestic cricket. Both teams compete regularly in tournaments like the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, showcasing regional talent and developing players for higher levels. Vidarbha has emerged as a disciplined and consistent team with strong all-round capabilities, while Kerala has steadily grown, producing talented cricketers who have made a mark in domestic circuits. Matches between these teams are often competitive, providing thrilling cricket and opportunities to witness emerging stars in action. This timeline explores key matches, player performances, and the development of both teams over the years.
Latest Matches
Tournament
Venue
Date
Toss
Vidarbha Score
Kerala Score
Result
Series
Player of the Match
Ranji Trophy (Final)
Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha, Nagpur
Feb 26 – Mar 2, 2025
Kerala elected to field first
379 & 375/9 dec
342
Match drawn (Vidarbha won on 1st innings lead)
Ranji Trophy 2024/25
Danish Malewar
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (Elite Group A)
Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
Dec 2, 2025
Vidarbha elected to field first
165/4 (18.3 ov)
164 (19.2 ov)
Vidarbha won by 6 wickets (9 balls remaining)
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025/26
Yash Thakur (5/16)
Year-wise Key Matches Timeline
Year/Season
Tournament
Venue
Date(s)
Toss
Vidarbha Score
Kerala Score
Result
Series/Tournament
Player of the Match / Key Highlight
2025/26
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (Elite Group A)
Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
Dec 2, 2025
Vidarbha elected to field
165/4 (18.3 ov)
164 (19.2 ov)
Vidarbha won by 6 wickets (9 balls remaining)
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025/26
Yash Thakur (fiery 5-wicket haul turned the game)
2024/25
Ranji Trophy (Final)
Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha, Nagpur
Feb 26 – Mar 2, 2025
Kerala elected to field first
379 & 375/9 dec
342
Match drawn (Vidarbha won on 1st innings lead by 37 runs)
Ranji Trophy 2024/25 (Vidarbha champions)
Danish Malewar (153 in 1st inns, century heroics)
2019/20
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
St Xavier’s College Ground, Thiruvananthapuram
Nov 14, 2019
–
136/7 (20 ov)
162/7 (20 ov)
Kerala won by 26 runs
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2019/20
– (Kerala posted strong total)
2015/16
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Jan 17, 2016
–
105 (19.3 ov)
109/8 (18.4 ov)
Kerala won by 2 wickets
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2015/16
– (Tight low-scoring thriller)
2012/13
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
Emerald High School Ground, Indore
Mar 27, 2013
–
138/5 (19 ov)
111/9 (12.3 ov)
Vidarbha won (rain-affected/DLS?)
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2012/13
– (Early encounter, limited details)
Tournament-wise Encounters Timeline
Ranji Trophy Encounters (First-Class only)
Tournament
Venue
Date(s)
Toss
Vidarbha Score
Kerala Score
Result
Player of the Match / Key Highlight
Ranji Trophy Elite 2024/25 (Final)
Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha, Nagpur
Feb 26 – Mar 2, 2025
Kerala elected to field first
379 & 375/9 dec
342
Match drawn (Vidarbha won on 1st inns lead)
Danish Malewar (153) + Karun Nair (double ton effort across inns) — Classic grind, Vidarbha champs!
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Encounters (T20 only)
Tournament
Venue
Date
Toss
Vidarbha Score
Kerala Score
Result
Player of the Match / Key Highlight
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025/26 (Elite Group A)
Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
Dec 2, 2025
Vidarbha elected to field
165/4 (18.3 ov)
164 (19.2 ov)
Vidarbha won by 6 wickets
Yash Thakur (5/16-ish spell, game-changer)
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2019/20
St Xavier’s College Ground, Thiruvananthapuram
Nov 14, 2019
–
136/7 (20 ov)
162/7 (20 ov)
Kerala won by 26 runs
Kerala’s batting held firm
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2015/16
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Jan 17, 2016
–
105 (19.3 ov)
109/8 (18.4 ov)
Kerala won by 2 wickets
Nail-biter chase under lights
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2012/13
Emerald High School Ground, Indore
Mar 27, 2013
–
138/5 (19 ov)
111/9 (12.3 ov)
Vidarbha won
Rain/DLS adjustment favored Vidarbha
Early Encounters and Kerala’s Development Phase (2004–2010)
During the early years, matches between the Vidarbha Cricket Team and the Kerala Cricket Team were largely dominated by Vidarbha, owing to its more experienced squad. Kerala, still building its cricketing infrastructure, occasionally lost matches but showed glimpses of talent and potential. Vidarbha relied on disciplined batting and pace-oriented bowling to control games. These early encounters helped Kerala gain exposure to higher-quality cricket and motivated them to improve. Vidarbha maintained consistency, but Kerala’s fight added excitement to the rivalry and set the stage for more competitive matches in the future.
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
Competitive Phase and Balanced Contests (2011–2015)
From 2011 to 2015, Kerala strengthened its squad, and matches became more competitive. Vidarbha continued to rely on experience and structured gameplay, while Kerala introduced emerging players who challenged their opponents effectively. Close contests were common in Ranji Trophy and limited-overs tournaments, with games often decided in the final sessions or overs. Both teams showcased strategic cricket and individual brilliance, reflecting the growing standards of domestic cricket in India. This phase highlighted Kerala’s rise as a competitive team while Vidarbha maintained dominance in key matches.
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)
Between 2016 and 2018, Vidarbha established itself as a dominant force in domestic cricket. The Vidarbha Cricket Team secured victories against Kerala through consistent batting performances and strong bowling line-ups. Kerala, while competitive, struggled to match Vidarbha’s depth and experience. Matches were often decided by tactical gameplay and individual match-winning performances. This period reinforced Vidarbha’s reputation as a consistent domestic side, while Kerala continued to grow and produce promising talent.
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 team matured between 2019 and 2020, producing more competitive performances against Vidarbha. Matches were balanced, with Kerala showing improved batting depth and tactical bowling options. The rivalry offered exciting contests, often determined by small margins. Vidarbha continued to leverage its experience, but Kerala’s consistency added unpredictability and competitiveness to the encounters. Fans enjoyed these tightly contested matches, which reflected the evolving quality of Indian domestic cricket.
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 rise of T20 cricket added excitement to the rivalry. Both Vidarbha Cricket Team and Kerala Cricket Team adapted to aggressive batting and innovative bowling strategies. Matches were high-scoring and fast-paced, often decided in the final overs. Kerala’s emerging players brought energy and competitiveness, while Vidarbha leveraged experience to secure wins. This era highlighted the evolving skills of players and the importance of T20 cricket in shaping young talent.
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)
Looking ahead, both teams are focusing on nurturing young talent for senior domestic and potential IPL participation. Kerala continues to produce promising cricketers who challenge Vidarbha’s experienced squad, while Vidarbha maintains its reputation for discipline and consistency. Future encounters are expected to be highly competitive, providing opportunities for new stars to emerge and shaping the domestic cricket landscape in India. This rivalry promises exciting contests and developmental growth for both teams.
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 Kerala Cricket Team reflects a rivalry rooted in development, competitiveness, and domestic excellence. Vidarbha has often maintained an edge due to experience and tactical strength, but Kerala’s growth has made contests closer and exciting. From early encounters to modern T20 battles, this rivalry has played a key role in nurturing domestic talent and providing thrilling matches for cricket enthusiasts. The future promises more competitive games and opportunities for emerging stars to shine.