Most Wickets In A Ranji Season

Arnav Chopra

Bishan Singh Bedi, Dubey and Jaydev Unadkat (Source: @IndianCricNews, @sportstarweb, @Chirayu_Jain26/X.com)Bishan Singh Bedi, Dubey and Jaydev Unadkat (Source: @IndianCricNews, @sportstarweb, @Chirayu_Jain26/X.com)

One of the most prestigious tournaments in Indian cricket history, the Ranji Trophy holds the utmost importance for any player. The tournament, played with red-ball cricket, is seen as a pinnacle of cricket in the country, giving birth to many young stars.

In the ongoing Ranji Trophy season 2024-25, Vidarbha's Harsh Dubey has joined the elite list of players who have done significantly well in a Ranji season.

The left-arm spinner has now become the player with the most wickets in a Ranji season ever. He has surpassed many greats of the game to achieve this landmark, and without a doubt, he will be remembered for his marvellous efforts till this game exists.

The ongoing Ranji Trophy final currently happening in Nagpur between Kerala and Vidarbha is seeing an intense fight from both sides, as none of them are ready to give up in this high-profile encounter.

Meanwhile, Dubey has registered figures of 3/88 in this game to help his side bowl out Kerala for 342 after putting up 379 on the board in the first innings. By the end of day three, Kerala now trail by 37 runs, as the game will now move to the final two days, which are expected to be blockbuster.

Meanwhile, let's have a look at the players who have done exceptionally well in a single season by picking up the most wickets in one edition of the Ranji Trophy since its inception:

5. Dodda Ganesh & Kanwaljit Singh - 62 Wickets In 21 Innings (1998/99 & 1999/00)

On number five on this list are Karnataka's Dodda Ganesh and Hyderabad's Kanwaljit Singh, with joint fifth-highest wickets in a single edition of the Ranji Trophy as both of them have 62 wickets in 21 innings, respectively. While Ganesh did this in the year 1998-1999, Kanwaljit brought up the feat in the very next edition of 1999-2000 for his side, Hyderabad.

Ganesh, in his overall career, played four Tests and one ODI for India in the year 1997 but was a giant in domestic cricket for his Ranji side, Karnataka. The medium pacer, who featured in a total of 104 first-class matches, picked up 365 wickets at an average of 29.42, while Kanwaljit, on the other hand, picked up 369 wickets in his first-class career.

4. Bishan Singh Bedi - 64 Wickets In 16 Innings (1974/75)

On number four on this list is India's legendary left-arm spinner, Bishan Singh Bedi. The Delhi cricketer, who featured in 370 first-class matches, has 1,560 wickets to his name in his overall red-ball career.

However, in the 1974-75 season, Bedi picked up a record 64 wickets in 16 innings. Bedi has always been an iconic figure in Indian cricket, where he has picked up 266 wickets in 67 matches, bowling at an economy of 2.14 and averaging 28.71. Unfortunately, he passed away in the year 2023 due to age-related illness.

3. Jaydev Unadkat - 67 Wickets In 16 Innings (2019/20)

Saurashtra's skipper Jaydev Unadkat did a tremendous job for them in the 2019-20 season, managing 67 wickets in 16 matches to lead his side to their first Ranji title. Unadkat, in that season, bowled with an average of 23.23 while his economy was just 2.81.

He also picked up seven fifers in that very season. Unadkat, who has featured in 127 first-class matches, has 447 wickets at an average of 23.13 and an economy of 2.96 in his red-ball career, where he has 24 fifers to go along as well.

2. Ashutosh Aman - 68 Wickets In 14 Innings (2018/19)

At number two on this list is Bihar's Ashutosh Aman, who did a fantastic job in the 2018-19 edition of the Ranji Trophy, picking up 68 wickets from just eight matches at an average of 6.48, while his economy was unbelievable at 1.90. Moreover, he bagged nine fifers to his name in just 14 innings. Ashutosh, who is a left-arm spinner, has grabbed 171 wickets in his 34-match first-class career so far.

1. Harsh Dubey - 69 Wickets In 19 Innings (2024/25)*

Now, the number one player on the list is Vidarbha's Harsh Dubey, who has done incredibly well in the ongoing Ranji Trophy season. The left-arm spinner has managed to pick up 69 wickets in 21 innings so far at an economy of 2.66, while the average is only 16.98, to go along with his five 5-wicket hauls.

In this particular game of the Ranji Trophy final against Kerala, Dubey has three wickets to his name while giving away 88 runs in 44 overs. Talking about his overall career, he has 94 wickets so far in 17 matches, averaging 19.66. Currently aged 22, Dubey is expected to be one of the finest players by the end of his career.