Credit: BCCI
The Ranji Trophy 2024-25 concluded recently with Vidarbha beating Kerala in the final on the basis of the first innings lead. With the success under their captain Akshay Wadkar, Vidarbha registered their third title victory. During the distinguished tournament, some Team India players looked in fine touch and made headlines. With their performances, these players have knocked the doors of selection for India’s tour of England where five Tests will be played from June to August 2025.
5. Cheteshwar Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara, who played his last Test match for India in June 2023, looked decent with his bat. Appearing for Saurashtra, he scored 402 runs in 10 innings from seven matches. Against Chhattisgarh, he also produced a 234-run knock from his bat.
4. Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur displayed his efficiency for Mumbai as an all-rounder. With the bat, he smashed 505 runs in 12 innings while as a bowler, he bagged 35 wickets in 18 innings and ended up as the second-leading wicket-taker for his side.
3. Ajinkya Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane is another veteran who utilised his experience and delivered fine numbers with the bat to his team. Leading Mumbai from the front, he amassed 467 runs in 14 innings of nine matches. Against Haryana in the quarter-final played at the iconic Eden Gardens, he notched up his best knock (108 off 180) of the tournament and played a crucial role in Mumbai’s 152-run win.
2. Karun Nair
Karun Nair grabbed a lot of eyeballs with his batting for Vidarabha in the competition. In his team’s title success, he chipped in with 863 runs in 16 innings from nine matches. He also amassed four hundreds and a couple of fifties. With these numbers, he also ended up as the highest run-getter for his team in the competition.
1. Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Shami might be seen in India whites from June to August when the two-time WTC runners-up will take on England for five Tests. In the Ranji Trophy 2024-25, the pacer played only one game for Bengal and succeeded to leave an impact for the side. He bagged seven wickets in a couple of innings.
