Vidarbha vs Kerala, RNJT, Today Match Prediction 26 February 2025

VDB vs KEL Match Prediction & Analysis

The Ranji Trophy final kicks off this Wednesday in Nagpur, with Vidarbha taking on Kerala in what should be an epic showdown. Vidarbha head into the match as clear favorites after their dominant run through the tournament, including an impressive win against Mumbai in the semifinals. But don't count out Kerala - they've played brilliant cricket all season and look ready for the big stage. Both teams are at their peak, setting up what could be one of the most memorable finals in recent years.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Vidarbha Preview

Vidarbha have been the most dominant side in this season’s Ranji Trophy, topping Group B with six wins and a draw. Their impressive run continued into the knockout stages, where they overpowered Tamil Nadu by 198 runs in the quarter-finals before securing an 80-run victory against defending champions Mumbai in the semis. Now, with just one hurdle left, they’ll be eager to cap off their campaign with the title.

Yash Rathod has been their standout batter, amassing 933 runs in 16 innings at an average of 58.31. His form has been exceptional, with a century (112) in the quarters and a superb 151 in the semis. Skipper Akshay Wadkar has been equally reliable, scoring 674 runs at 48.14, anchoring the middle order when needed.

At the top of the order, Atharva Taide has provided steady starts, setting the platform for the innings, while Danish Malewar has brought stability at No.3 with his measured batting.

On the bowling front, Harsh Dubey has been instrumental, leading the attack with 66 wickets at an average of 16.42. Yash Thakur and Nachiket Bhute have been crucial in breaking partnerships at key stages, adding depth to the bowling unit. Parth Rekhade’s performance in the semis against Mumbai, where he picked up six wickets, further strengthened an already well-balanced bowling lineup.

Key Players: Yash Rathod, Akshay Wadkar, Harsh Dubey

Vidarbha Predicted Playing XI:

Atharva Taide, Dhruv Shorey, Parth Rekhade, Danish Malewar, Karun Nair, Yash Rathod, Akshay Wadkar (c & wk), Harsh Dubey, Darshan Nalkande, Yash Thakur, Nachiket Bhute

Kerala Preview

Kerala have made history by advancing to their first-ever Ranji Trophy final after a nail-biting semi-final clash versus Gujarat in Ahmedabad. Defending just 28 runs with three wickets left on the final morning, left-arm spinner Aditya Sarwate delivered under pressure, taking all three wickets and bowling Gujarat out for 455. This two-run first-innings lead proved enough to push Kerala into the final, building on their equally narrow one-run first-innings advantage over Jammu and Kashmir in the previous round.

Their next challenge is a big one—Vidarbha, the strongest team in the tournament. Kerala’s batting lineup will be banking on Salman Nizar, who has piled up 607 runs in 11 innings at an outstanding average of 86.71. Mohammed Azharuddeen has also played a vital role, contributing 601 runs. With Jaiswal at the top, Mumbai’s batting unit has become even more formidable.

Captain Sachin Baby and Rohan Kunnummal, both crossing the 400-run mark this season, will be key figures in the final. 

As for the bowling, Jalaj Saxena has been a standout performer with 38 wickets at an average of 18.97. Sarwate, fresh off his match-winning spell, has 30 wickets in just eight games at 17.50. MD Nidheesh adds further depth to the attack, making Kerala a well-rounded side heading into the all-important clash.

Key Players: Salman Nizar, Mohammed Azharuddeen, Jalaj Saxena

Kerala Predicted Playing XI:

Akshay Chandran, Rohan Kunnummal, Sachin Baby (c), Jalaj Saxena, Salman Nizar, Varun Nayanar, Mohammed Azharuddeen (wk), Aditya Sarwate, Ahammed Imran, MD Nidheesh, Nedumankuzhy Basil

Weather Conditions

The Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground's pitch, built with classic Indian black soil, tends to play at a measured pace. Batters should find conditions ideal during the first two days, with reliable bounce. The track starts to break down on day three as spinners begin to find their rhythm. By days four and five, the pitch typically offers plenty of spin and unpredictable bounce as the surface cracks develop. Fast bowlers can make the new ball talk early on, before reverse swing comes into play.

The forecast for Nagpur points to hot conditions and hazy sunshine across all five days. Morning sessions will be especially misty, though the overall weather should remain comfortable.

VDB vs KEL Pitch Report

Teams batting at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground ideally need to put up at least 350 runs in their first innings to stay in control of the game. The ground has already seen some big totals this season - Vidarbha piled on 575 against Himachal Pradesh and went on to win that match convincingly by an innings and 88 runs.

Toss: To Bat

The stats tell an interesting story at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground this Ranji Trophy season. Teams batting first have won five out of six matches here, with just one game ending in a draw. This trend will definitely factor into both captains' decisions at the toss - expect them to choose batting if they win the flip of the coin in this championship decider.