The Ranji Trophy is the premier first-class cricket competition in India, where domestic teams from different regions and states compete for the coveted title. The tournament has a rich history and tradition, dating back to 1934. Over the years, many bowlers have made their mark in the Ranji Trophy, showcasing their skills and talent in the longer format of the game. In this article, we will look at some of the most successful bowlers in Ranji Trophy history, based on the number of wickets they have taken in a single season.
1.Asutosh Aman
In the 2018-19 Ranji Trophy, Ashutosh Aman delivered an extraordinary bowling performance. Aman, representing Bihar, broke the record for the most wickets in a single Ranji Trophy season. He surpassed the previous record of 64 wickets set by Bishen Singh Bedi in 1974/75 by claiming 68 wickets. Aman achieved this remarkable feat in just seven matches, with an impressive average of 6.49.His performance was a key factor in Bihar’s bowling strength during the tournament. Notably, Aman’s last match against Manipur was particularly outstanding, where he achieved a haul of 11/110. This included his fifth 10-wicket haul of the season and his ninth five-wicket haul in an innings.
2. Jayadev Unadkat
Jaydev Unadkat had an exceptional performance in the 2019-20 Ranji Trophy, showcasing his skills as a left-arm fast bowler. During the tournament, he broke a 21-year-old record for the most wickets taken by a fast bowler in a single Ranji Trophy season. Unadkat finished the semi-final against Gujarat with a remarkable tally of 65 wickets, surpassing the previous record held by Dodda Ganesh who had 63 wickets in the 1998-99 season.Unadkat’s performance included a crucial 10-wicket haul in the semi-final, playing a vital role in securing Saurashtra’s place in the final. His efforts included seven 5-wicket hauls throughout the season, emphasizing his consistent and impactful bowling. This achievement also placed him as the second-highest wicket-taker in a Ranji Trophy season, just behind Ashutosh Aman who had 68 wickets in 2018/19.
3.Bishan Singh Bedi
Bishan Singh Bedi had an exceptional bowling performance in the 1974-75 Ranji Trophy. He took a total of 64 wickets for Delhi, marking one of the most successful seasons in his career. This achievement placed him among the top bowlers in Ranji Trophy history for a single season. Additionally, Bedi’s best first-class bowling figures during his career were recorded in this season.
4. D Ganesh
D Ganesh was the leading wicket-taker in the 1998-99 Ranji Trophy season, with 62 wickets in 10 matches for Karnataka. He had six five-wicket hauls and one ten-wicket match. He played a vital role in Karnataka’s title triumph, taking 11 wickets in the final against Madhya Pradesh. He also took a hat-trick against Bihar in the Super League stage. He was rewarded with a call-up to the Indian Test squad for the tour of Australia in 1999-2000.
5. Kanwaljit Singh
In the 1999-2000 Ranji Trophy season, Kanwaljit Singh had an exceptional bowling performance. He took a total of 62 wickets, which was the second-highest in a single Ranji season at the time, following only Bishan Bedi’s record of 64 wickets in the 1974-75 season. This achievement highlights Singh’s significant contribution to his team during that season.
