The ranji trophy winners list is one of the most important records in Indian cricket history. The Ranji Trophy is India’s premier domestic first-class cricket tournament and has been the foundation of Indian cricket since 1934.
Named after the legendary cricketer Ranjitsinhji, this tournament has helped create countless international stars. From historic dominance by Mumbai to the rise of new champions like Saurashtra and Vidarbha, the Ranji Trophy reflects the true growth of Indian cricket.
This article presents the complete ranji trophy winners list with proper tables, team records, and detailed explanations in simple and natural English.
What Is the Ranji Trophy?
The Ranji Trophy is the highest-level domestic red-ball cricket tournament in India. It is organized annually by the Board of Control for Cricket in India and features teams representing Indian states, regions, and institutions.
The tournament is played in a multi-day first-class format, making it the most important platform for players aiming to represent the Indian national Test team.
Evolution of the Ranji Trophy Format
When the tournament began in 1934–35, only a few teams participated, and matches were played on a knockout basis.
As cricket expanded across India, the structure changed into league formats. Today, teams are divided into Elite Groups and Plate Groups with promotion and relegation systems, ensuring fair competition and opportunities for emerging teams.
Ranji Trophy Winners List (1934–2024)
Below is the complete ranji trophy winners list presented season by season in table format.
Complete Ranji Trophy Winners Table
| Season | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1934–35 | Bombay |
| 1935–36 | Bombay |
| 1936–37 | Nawanagar |
| 1937–38 | Hyderabad |
| 1938–39 | Bengal |
| 1939–40 | Maharashtra |
| 1940–41 | Maharashtra |
| 1941–42 | Bombay |
| 1942–43 | Baroda |
| 1943–44 | Western India |
| 1944–45 | Bombay |
| 1945–46 | Holkar |
| 1946–47 | Baroda |
| 1947–48 | Holkar |
| 1948–49 | Bombay |
| 1949–50 | Baroda |
| 1950–51 | Holkar |
| 1951–52 | Bombay |
| 1952–53 | Holkar |
| 1953–54 | Bombay |
| 1954–55 | Bombay |
| 1955–56 | Bombay |
| 1956–57 | Bombay |
| 1957–58 | Baroda |
| 1958–59 | Bombay |
| 1959–60 | Bombay |
| 1960–61 | Bombay |
| 1961–62 | Bombay |
| 1962–63 | Bombay |
| 1963–64 | Bombay |
| 1964–65 | Bombay |
| 1965–66 | Bombay |
| 1966–67 | Bombay |
| 1967–68 | Bombay |
| 1968–69 | Bombay |
| 1969–70 | Bombay |
| 1970–71 | Bombay |
| 1971–72 | Bombay |
| 1972–73 | Bombay |
| 1973–74 | Karnataka |
| 1974–75 | Bombay |
| 1975–76 | Bombay |
| 1976–77 | Bombay |
| 1977–78 | Karnataka |
| 1978–79 | Delhi |
| 1979–80 | Delhi |
| 1980–81 | Bombay |
| 1981–82 | Delhi |
| 1982–83 | Karnataka |
| 1983–84 | Bombay |
| 1984–85 | Bombay |
| 1985–86 | Delhi |
| 1986–87 | Hyderabad |
| 1987–88 | Tamil Nadu |
| 1988–89 | Delhi |
| 1989–90 | Bengal |
| 1990–91 | Haryana |
| 1991–92 | Delhi |
| 1992–93 | Punjab |
| 1993–94 | Bombay |
| 1994–95 | Bombay |
| 1995–96 | Karnataka |
| 1996–97 | Mumbai |
| 1997–98 | Karnataka |
| 1998–99 | Karnataka |
| 1999–2000 | Mumbai |
| 2000–01 | Baroda |
| 2001–02 | Railways |
| 2002–03 | Mumbai |
| 2003–04 | Mumbai |
| 2004–05 | Railways |
| 2005–06 | Uttar Pradesh |
| 2006–07 | Mumbai |
| 2007–08 | Delhi |
| 2008–09 | Mumbai |
| 2009–10 | Mumbai |
| 2010–11 | Rajasthan |
| 2011–12 | Rajasthan |
| 2012–13 | Mumbai |
| 2013–14 | Karnataka |
| 2014–15 | Karnataka |
| 2015–16 | Mumbai |
| 2016–17 | Gujarat |
| 2017–18 | Vidarbha |
| 2018–19 | Vidarbha |
| 2019–20 | Saurashtra |
| 2021–22 | Madhya Pradesh |
| 2022–23 | Saurashtra |
| 2023–24 | Mumbai |
Teams With Most Ranji Trophy Titles
The ranji trophy winners list clearly highlights a few dominant teams.
Most Successful Teams Table
| Team | Titles Won |
|---|---|
| Mumbai | 42 |
| Karnataka | 8 |
| Delhi | 7 |
| Baroda | 5 |
| Holkar | 4 |
| Bengal | 2 |
| Vidarbha | 2 |
| Saurashtra | 2 |
| Rajasthan | 2 |
| Railways | 2 |
Mumbai remains the most successful team in Ranji Trophy history, with a record that is unlikely to be matched in the near future.
First-Time Ranji Trophy Winners
Several teams achieved historic success by winning the title for the first time.
First-Time Champions Table
| Team | First Title Season |
|---|---|
| Haryana | 1990–91 |
| Punjab | 1992–93 |
| Railways | 2001–02 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 2005–06 |
| Rajasthan | 2010–11 |
| Gujarat | 2016–17 |
| Vidarbha | 2017–18 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 2021–22 |
These wins reflect the expansion of quality cricket across all regions of India.
Importance of Ranji Trophy in Indian Cricket
The Ranji Trophy plays a vital role in identifying and developing long-format players. Strong performances here often lead to India A selection and eventually national team opportunities.
Unlike short-format cricket, Ranji matches test patience, footwork, temperament, and bowling endurance.
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Legendary Players Produced by Ranji Trophy
Many Indian cricket legends began their journeys in Ranji cricket.
| Player | Major Achievement |
|---|---|
| Sunil Gavaskar | Multiple double centuries |
| Sachin Tendulkar | Century on debut at age 15 |
| Rahul Dravid | Over 10,000 Ranji runs |
| Anil Kumble | Consistent match-winning spells |
| Wasim Jaffer | Highest run-scorer in Ranji history |
These players built strong foundations through domestic cricket before succeeding internationally.
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Modern Era of Ranji Trophy
In recent years, the competition has become more balanced. Teams such as Vidarbha, Saurashtra, and Madhya Pradesh have challenged traditional giants through strong bench strength and disciplined cricket.
Advanced coaching, fitness programs, and analytics have raised the standard of domestic cricket significantly.
Why the Ranji Trophy Still Matters
Even with the popularity of T20 leagues, the Ranji Trophy remains the backbone of Indian cricket.
It develops Test-ready players
It builds strong techniques
It promotes regional talent
It preserves the traditional spirit of cricket
The ranji trophy winners list continues to evolve, reflecting the changing face of Indian cricket.
Conclusion
The ranji trophy winners list is not just a historical record but a reflection of India’s cricketing journey. From Mumbai’s unmatched dominance to the rise of new champions, the tournament has shaped generations of cricketers.
As Indian cricket grows globally, the Ranji Trophy will continue to remain the strongest platform for identifying true red-ball talent and preserving the legacy of the game.