Ranji Trophy: Ranking All time Playing XI

The Ranji Trophy is one of the oldest domestic tournaments in the annals of cricket. Mumbai have won the tournament on most occasions. Their last win came earlier this year when Ajinkya Rahane and his side beat Vidarbha in the finals to claim the title. 

The tournament has given Indian cricket some of the massive names who have gone on to play for the national side. There are also a few cricketers who performed well in the tournament and haven’t been able to get a look into the Indian team set-up. 

As we head into the Indian domestic season, few cricketers have owned the Ranji Trophy stage with the bat and ball. Some of these players have gone on to achieve legendary status in Ranji Trophy Cricket. 

Here are top XI all-time Ranji Trophy players

11. Jaydev Unadkat – Saurashtra 

The left-arm pacer has played 73 matches and picked 280 wickets with the ball. Jaydev Unadkat picked 18 fifers and was instrumental in leading Saurashtra to the title win in 2020. All these performances have also seen Unadkat get a recall into the Indian where he made his Test return in 2022 after 12 years. 

10. Shahbaz Nadeem – Jharkhand 

The former Indian spinner made his Ranji Trophy debut with loads of promise. By the time he ended his career in 2024, Shahbaz Nadeem had played 80 matches and picked 351 wickets with a best of 7/57. The lanky spinner picked 18 fifers in his career with an average of 26.23. 

9. Vinay Kumar – Karnataka and Puducherry

Considered a workhorse and a pure legend in the Ranji Trophy, Vinay Kumar played 74 matches and picked 274 wickets. He was the captain of the Karnataka side that won a plethora of domestic titles including the Ranji Trophy. Vinay Kumar had a best of 7/57 which was one of his 17 fifers in domestic cricket. 

8. Jalaj Saxena – Madhya Pradesh and Kerala 

One of the cricketers in the current era who will consider himself unlucky not to have gotten a national call-up. The veteran all-rounder has played 83 matches in total and scored 4398 runs with the bat with 9 centuries and 21 fifties with an average of 36. With the ball, he has picked 340 wickets with a best of 9/68 with a total of 26 fifers. 

7. Sheldon Jackson -Saurashtra 

The veteran Saurashtra wicketkeeper and batter has been unlucky to not play for India. He has been playing in the Ranji Trophy at the same time as MS Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik, Parthiv Patel, and Naman Ojha. Sheldon Jackson has played a total of 90 matches and scored 6319 runs with a best of 206 with 19 tons and 34 fifties with an average of 46.  

6. Ravindra Jadeja - Saurashtra 

There is no doubt that Ravindra Jadeja has been one of the best all-rounders that Indian Cricket has seen in the last few years. The veteran star before making his mark in the national set-up had a great time in the Ranji Trophy. Ravindra Jadeja has played a mere 14 matches and scored 1533 runs with an average of 85 with four centuries and 5 fifties. He has also picked 87 wickets with the ball with a best of 7/53 with 8 fifers. 

5. Sarfaraz Khan – Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh 

Young batting sensation Sarfaraz Khan came into the limelight for his prodigious talents. His start to life in the Ranji Trophy was difficult as he moved from Mumbai to UP for a season before coming back. Sarfaraz Khan has played a total of 30 matches in the Ranji Trophy and scored 3002 runs with an average of 81 with 11 centuries and 7 fifties. 

4. Hanuma Vihari – Hyderabad and Andhra Pradesh

The out-of-favour Indian batter is a giant in the Ranji Trophy arena and is known for his dour batting. Hanuma Vihari has played a total of 70 matches since his debut in 2012 and scored 5676 runs with an average of 56. His best of 302 not out is one of 14 centuries and 29 fifties he has scored in his career. 

3. Cheteshwar Pujara – Saurashtra 

Indian Cricket may have forgotten Cheteshwar Pujara but his numbers in Ranji Trophy are exemplary. The veteran batter has played 46 matches and scored 4244 runs with a best of 352 and boasts of an average that reads 56. Pujara has also hit 14 tons and 12 fifties during his legendary career for Saurashtra. 

2. Priyank Panchal – Gujarat 

When Gujarat won their Ranji title, it was possible due to the opening pair of Samit Gohel and Priyank Panchal. The stylish right-handed batter has been a behemoth in Ranji cricket with 5487 runs from 70 games. Priyanka Panchal has registered 19 centuries and 22 fifties with a best of 314 not out. 

1. Wasim Jaffer – Mumbai and Vidarbha 

In an era where power has been at the forefront of batting, Wasim Jaffer made the art look easy with his languid style. The former Indian opener scored 5817 runs from 77 matches with a best of 267. Wasim Jaffer also had 18 centuries and 22 fifties to his credit with an average of 54.23 during his legendary career.