The Ranji Trophy is the premier first-class cricket competition in India, which started in 1934 and has seen 88 editions so far. The tournament has witnessed some remarkable batting feats. In this article, we will look at the top five highest scores in Ranji Trophy history.
5. Vijay Merchant – 359 not out
Vijay Merchant was one of the finest batsmen of his era, who averaged a staggering 98.35 in first-class cricket. He became the first batsman to score 350 runs in a Ranji Trophy innings, when he made an unbeaten 359 against Maharashtra in the 1944-45 season. He hit 31 fours in his marathon knock, which helped Bombay (now Mumbai) post a mammoth 735 runs.
4. M. V. Sridhar – 366
M. V. Sridhar was a prolific run-scorer for Hyderabad, who amassed over 6000 runs in his first-class career. He scored the highest individual score for his team and the fourth-highest in Ranji Trophy history, when he made 366 against Andhra Pradesh in the 1993-94 season. He smashed 37 fours and five sixes in his innings, which propelled Hyderabad to a record total of 944 for 6 declared.
3. Sanjay Manjrekar – 377
Sanjay Manjrekar was a stylish and elegant batsman, who played 37 Tests and 74 ODIs for India. He also had a stellar record in domestic cricket, especially in the Ranji Trophy. He registered the highest score for Mumbai and the third-highest overall, when he scored 377 against Hyderabad in the 1990-91 season. He faced 473 balls and hit 50 fours and five sixes, as Mumbai declared at 855 for 6.
2. Prithvi Shaw – 379
Prithvi Shaw is one of the most exciting young talents in Indian cricket, who has already made a mark in international cricket. He also holds the record for the second-highest score in Ranji Trophy history, which he achieved in the 2022-23 season. He scored a breathtaking 379 off just 383 balls against Assam, with 49 fours and four sixes. His innings helped Mumbai declare at 687 for 4 and win the match by an innings and 128 runs.
1. B. B. Nimbalkar – 443 not out
B. B. Nimbalkar is the only batsman to score over 400 runs in a Ranji Trophy innings, and the fourth-highest scorer in first-class cricket history. He achieved this feat in the 1948-49 season, when he played for Maharashtra against Kathiawar. He remained unbeaten on 443, with 49 fours and two sixes, as Maharashtra declared at 826 for 4. Interestingly, he could have broken the world record of 452 not out, held by Don Bradman at that time, but the Kathiawar captain, who was a close friend of Nimbalkar, conceded the match to deny him the opportunity.
These are the top five highest scores in Ranji Trophy history, which showcase the brilliance and endurance of some of the finest batsmen in Indian cricket. The Ranji Trophy has been a breeding ground for many international stars, and we can expect more records to be broken in the future.
