View source for 2018 19 Ranji Trophy

{{short description|Cricket tournament}}
{{use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Infobox cricket tournament
| name = 2018–19 Ranji Trophy
| image = Ranji_trophy.jpg
| fromdate = 1 November 2018
| todate = 7 February 2019
| caption = The Ranji Trophy, awarded to the winners
| administrator = [[Board of Control for Cricket in India|BCCI]]
| cricket format = [[First-class cricket]]
| tournament format = [[Round-robin tournament|Round-robin]] then [[Single-elimination tournament|knockout]]
| host = {{flag|India}}
| champions = [[Vidarbha cricket team|Vidarbha]]
| count = 2
| participants = 37
| matches = 151
| player of the series = 
| most runs = [[Milind Kumar]] (1,331) (Sikkim)<ref name="Stats">{{cite web|url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/106563/jaffers-1000-run-season-vidarbhas-successful-title-defence-2018-19-ranji-trophy |title=Jaffer's 1000-run season, Vidarbha's successful title defence |work=CricBuzz |access-date=7 February 2019}}</ref>
| most wickets = [[Ashutosh Aman]] (68) (Bihar)<ref name="Stats"/>
| website = 
| previous_year = 2017–18
| previous_tournament = 2017–18 Ranji Trophy
| next_year = 2019–20
| next_tournament = 2019–20 Ranji Trophy
}}
{{2018–19 Indian domestic cricket season}}
The '''2018–19 Ranji Trophy''' was the 85th season of the [[Ranji Trophy]], the premier [[first-class cricket]] tournament that took place in India between November 2018 and February 2019.<ref name="85th">{{cite news |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/23216954/no-irani-cup-2018-19-domestic-season |title=No Irani Cup in 2018-19 domestic season? |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=17 April 2018}}</ref> [[Vidarbha cricket team|Vidarbha]] were the defending champions.<ref name="Vidarbha1st">{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/ranji-trophy-final-delhi-vs-vidarbha-live-cricket-score-day-4/story-9vjCC9dPxHnHHZJryDhTyL.html |title=Delhi vs Vidarbha, Ranji Trophy final, full cricket score, Day 4: VID win title for 1st time, create history |access-date=1 January 2018 |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref> The final took place between Vidarbha and [[Saurashtra cricket team|Saurashtra]], starting on 3 February 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/ranji-trophy-20118-19-semifinals-saurashtra-vs-karnataka-cheteshwar-pujara-hundred-sheldon-jackson-jaydev-unadkat-1440696-2019-01-28 |title=Ranji Trophy semifinal: Pujara and Unadkat set up Saurashtra vs Vidarbha final |work=India Today |access-date=28 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8050/preview/1162721/vidarbha-vs-saurashtra-final-ranji-trophy |title=Vidarbha v Saurashtra - a fitting Ranji final |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=2 February 2019}}</ref> Vidarbha defeated Saurashtra by 78 runs in the final, to become the sixth team in the tournament's history to retain their title.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8050/report/1162721/day/5/vidarbha-vs-saurashtra-final-ranji-trophy |title=Aditya Sarwate takes 11, Vidarbha win second straight Ranji Trophy title |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=7 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/news/what-a-success-story-tributes-pour-in-for-ranji-trophy-champions-vidarbha-2028239.html |title='What a Success Story' - Tributes Pour in for Ranji Trophy Champions Vidarbha |work=Network18 Media and Investments Ltd |access-date=7 February 2019}}</ref>

==Background==
In April 2018, the [[Board of Control for Cricket in India]] (BCCI) reinstated [[Bihar cricket team|Bihar]] for the competition, bringing the total teams to 29.<ref name="85th"/><ref name="Bihar">{{cite news |url=https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/news/bcci-technical-committee-approves-bihars-participation-in-ranji-trophy-1720227.html |title=BCCI Technical Committee Approves Bihar’s Participation in Ranji Trophy |work=News18 |access-date=17 April 2018}}</ref> In July 2018, the BCCI increased the total number of teams to 37, with the addition of [[Arunachal Pradesh cricket team|Arunachal Pradesh]], [[Manipur cricket team|Manipur]], [[Meghalaya cricket team|Meghalaya]], [[Mizoram cricket team|Mizoram]], [[Nagaland cricket team|Nagaland]], [[Pondicherry cricket team|Pondicherry]], [[Sikkim cricket team|Sikkim]] and [[Uttarakhand cricket team|Uttarakhand]].<ref name="CI39">{{cite news |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/24129178/nine-new-teams-ranji-trophy-2018-19 |title=Nine new teams in Ranji Trophy 2018–19 |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref><ref name="IE39">{{cite news |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/bcci-schedule-2018-19-domestic-games-5265019/ |title=Logistical nightmare on cards as BCCI announces 37-team Ranji Trophy for 2018-19 season |work=Indian Express |access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref>

==Format==
The tournament had four groups, with nine teams each in Groups A and B, and ten teams in Group C. All the new teams were placed in the Plate Group.<ref name="CI39"/><ref name="IE39"/> The teams in the Plate Group were allowed to have up to three professional players in their squads.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25465261/go-pro-template-success-ranji-trophy-plate-group |title=Go pro - the template to success in Ranji Trophy's Plate Group |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=6 December 2018}}</ref> The top two teams from Group C and the top team in the Plate Group progressed to the quarter-finals of the tournament, along with five teams from Groups A and B.<ref name="CI39"/><ref name="IE39"/>

==Summary==
===League phase===
The opening round of fixtures saw a total of 94 players making their first-class cricket debut.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/news/ranji-trophy-digest-mixed-bag-for-india-stars-new-states-take-baby-steps-1930305.html |title=Ranji Trophy Digest: Mixed Bag For India Stars, New States Take Baby Steps |work=Network18 Media and Investments Ltd |access-date=5 November 2018}}</ref>

In the third round match between [[Vidarbha cricket team|Vidarbha]] and [[Baroda cricket team|Baroda]], Vidarbha's [[Wasim Jaffer]] became the first batsman to score 11,000 runs in the Ranji Trophy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/wasim-jaffer-becomes-first-batsman-to-reach-11000-runs-in-ranji-trophy-11000-runs/ |title=Wasim Jaffer becomes first batsman to reach 11,000 runs in Ranji Trophy |work=The Indian Express |access-date=21 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/wasim-jaffer-becomes-the-first-player-to-reach-11-000-runs-in-ranji-trophy-1951283 |title=Wasim Jaffer Becomes The First Player To Reach 11,000 Runs In Ranji Trophy |work=NDTV |access-date=21 November 2018}}</ref> In the fourth round match between [[Pondicherry cricket team|Pondicherry]] and [[Mizoram cricket team|Mizoram]], Pondicherry's [[Pankaj Singh (cricketer)|Pankaj Singh]] set a new record for the most five-wicket hauls against different teams in the Ranji Trophy with 17.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/105383/ranji-trophy-2018-19-highlights-kerala-succumb-to-avesh-khans-assault-vs-madhya-pradesh-cricket-team |title=Ranji Highlights: Kerala succumb to Avesh Khan's assault |work=CricBuzz |access-date=28 November 2018}}</ref> The fourth round of fixtures also saw the first occasion that seven captains scored centuries.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/news/ranji-trophy-takeaways-gujarat-register-historic-win-over-mumbai-bengal-beat-tamil-nadu-in-a-thriller-1956825.html |title=Ranji Takeaways: Gujarat Register Historic Win Over Mumbai; Bengal Beat Tamil Nadu in a Thriller |work=Network18 Media and Investments Ltd |access-date=1 December 2018}}</ref>

In round five, [[Paras Dogra]] batting for [[Pondicherry cricket team|Pondicherry]] scored 253 runs against [[Sikkim cricket team|Sikkim]]. It was his eighth double century, going past [[Ajay Sharma]]'s record of seven double centuries in the Ranji Trophy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25469326/paras-dogra-record-double-ton-memorable-debut-shahrukh-khan |title=Paras Dogra's record double-ton, and a memorable debut for Shahrukh Khan |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=6 December 2018}}</ref><ref name="RanRec1"/> Also in round five, [[Ajay Rohera]] set a new record for the highest score on debut in a first-class match.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/field/904963/ranji-trophy-ajay-rohera-breaks-24-year-old-world-record-for-highest-score-on-first-class-debut |title=Ranji Trophy: Ajay Rohera breaks 24-year-old world record for highest score on first-class debut |work=Scroll |access-date=8 December 2018}}</ref> Batting for [[Madhya Pradesh cricket team|Madhya Pradesh]] against [[Hyderabad cricket team|Hyderabad]], he scored 267 [[not out]], breaking the record of 260 runs set by [[Amol Mazumdar]] in 1994.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cricketcountry.com/news/ranji-trophy-2018-19-madhya-pradeshs-ajay-rohera-sets-highest-ever-score-on-first-class-debut-breaks-amol-mazumdars-25-year-old-record-775215 |title=MP's Ajay Rohera sets highest-ever score on first-class debut; breaks Amol Mazumdar’s 25-year-old record |work=Cricket Country |access-date=8 December 2018}}</ref> [[Naman Ojha]] became the most successful wicket-keeper in Ranji Trophy history, breaking [[Vinayak Samant]]'s record of 355 dismissals as wicket-keeper.<ref name="RanRec1">{{cite web|url=https://www.crictracker.com/stats-naman-ojha-and-paras-dogra-rewrite-ranji-trophy-records/ |title=Stats: Naman Ojha and Paras Dogra rewrite Ranji Trophy records |work=CricTracker |date=6 December 2018 |access-date=11 January 2019}}</ref><ref name="RanRec">{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25733628/new-records-new-teams-misfortunes-mumbai-delhi |title=New records by new teams, and the misfortunes of Mumbai and Delhi |work=ESPNcricinfo |date=10 January 2019 |access-date=11 January 2019}}</ref>

In the sixth round of fixtures, [[Milind Kumar]] of [[Sikkim cricket team|Sikkim]] became the first batsman to score 1,000 runs in this edition of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newsnation.in/sports-news/cricket-news/milind-kumar-1000-runs-ranji-trophy-sikkim-plate-division-record-article-209036.html |title=Ranji Trophy 2018/19: Milind Kumar, playing for Sikkim, enters the record books |work=News Nation |access-date=15 December 2018}}</ref> He did so in the match against [[Mizoram cricket team|Mizoram]], in his ninth innings of the competition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25534971/being-sidelined-delhi-1000-ranji-trophy |title=Milind Kumar: from being sidelined in Delhi to 1000 in the Ranji Trophy |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=15 December 2018}}</ref> In round seven of the tournament, [[Ashutosh Aman]] of [[Bihar cricket team|Bihar]] became the first bowler to take 50 wickets in this years' Ranji Trophy tournament.<ref name="Aman50">{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/news/ranji-takeaways-shubman-gill-scores-148-in-thrilling-draw-mumbai-fail-to-win-again-1983409.html |title=Ranji Takeaways: Shubman Gill Scores 148 in Thrilling Draw; Mumbai Fail to Win Again |work=Network18 Media and Investments Ltd 2018 |access-date=25 December 2018}}</ref> He went on to finish the tournament with 68 wickets, breaking the previous record of 64 dismissals set by [[Bishan Singh Bedi]] in the [[1974–75 Ranji Trophy|1974–75 tournament]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25719377/ashutosh-aman-flights-way-air-force-ranji-trophy-record-books |title=Ashutosh Aman flights his way from the Air Force to the Ranji Trophy record books |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=9 January 2019}}</ref> Round eight saw [[Pankaj Singh (cricketer)|Pankaj Singh]] of [[Pondicherry cricket team|Pondicherry]] become the first [[Seam bowling|seam bowler]] to take 400 wickets in the Ranji Trophy.<ref name="PS400">{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25653392/no-stopping-wasim-jaffer |title=No stopping Wasim Jaffer |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=31 December 2018}}</ref> In round nine, [[Tripura cricket team|Tripura]] and [[Madhya Pradesh cricket team|Madhya Pradesh]] were both dismissed for just 35 runs in one of their innings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/970336 |title=Two Indian first-class sides bowled out for 35 |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=9 January 2019}}</ref>

The group stage of the tournament saw two captains retire from all forms of cricket. In November 2018, [[Gautam Gambhir]] initially stepped down as captain of [[Delhi cricket team|Delhi]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/ranji-trophy-delhi-captain-gautam-gambhir-nitish-rana-5434773/ |title=Ranji Trophy: Gautam Gambhir steps down as Delhi captain, Nitish Rana takes over |work=The Indian Express |access-date=7 November 2018}}</ref> before announcing his retirement the following month.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25450642/gautam-gambhir-retires-all-cricket |title=Gautam Gambhir retires from all cricket |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=4 December 2018}}</ref> Gambhir went on to score 112 in his final innings, his 43rd century in first-class cricket.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25483077/gambhir-fairy-tale-finish-laxman-dravid-reprise |title=Gambhir's fairy-tale finish, and a Laxman-Dravid reprise |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=9 December 2018}}</ref> [[Saurashtra cricket team|Saurashtra]]'s captain, [[Jaydev Shah]], also retired from cricket in December.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25458932/saurashtra-captain-jaydev-shah-retire-all-cricket |title=Saurashtra captain Jaydev Shah to retire from all cricket |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=5 December 2018}}</ref> He made record for most matches as captain in Ranji Trophy.<ref name="RanRec"/>

The ninth round match between [[Vidarbha cricket team|Vidarbha]] and [[Saurashtra cricket team|Saurashtra]] was Wasim Jaffer's 146th match in the Ranji Trophy. He broke [[Devendra Bundela]]'s record of playing in the most Ranji matches.<ref name="RanRec"/>

On 2 January 2019, [[Rajasthan cricket team|Rajasthan]] from Group C became the first team to qualify for the quarter-finals, after they beat [[Goa cricket team|Goa]] by ten wickets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/news/vidarbha-enter-ranji-trophy-quarters-mp-punjab-close-in/ |title=Vidarbha enter Ranji Trophy quarters; MP, Punjab close in |work=The Sentinel (Assam) |access-date=2 January 2019}}</ref> Ahead of the penultimate round of fixtures, ten teams across Groups A and B still had a chance to progress to the quarter-finals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25666610/easwaran-183*-keeps-bengal-alive-jharkhand-denied-victory |title=Easwaran's 183* keeps Bengal alive; Jharkhand denied victory |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=2 January 2019}}</ref> [[Vidarbha cricket team|Vidarbha]] became the first team to qualify from Group A, after [[Baroda cricket team|Baroda]] beat [[Karnataka cricket team|Karnataka]] by two wickets in their final group-stage match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25713149/vidarbha-baroda-alive-karnataka-lose-two-days |title=Vidarbha through; Baroda alive as Karnataka lose in two days |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=8 January 2019}}</ref> Despite the loss, Karnataka also qualified from Group A.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25719987/madhya-pradesh-lose-6-0-knocked-out |title=Madhya Pradesh lose 6 for 0, knocked out |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=9 January 2019}}</ref> [[Uttarakhand cricket team|Uttarakhand]] won the Plate Group and advanced to the quarter-finals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cricketcountry.com/news/ranji-trophy-2018-19-round-9-plate-day-3-unbeaten-uttarakhand-qualify-for-knockouts-789222 |title=Ranji Trophy 2018-19, Round 9, Plate, Day 3: Unbeaten Uttarakhand qualify for knockouts |work=Cricket Country |access-date=9 January 2019}}</ref> On the final day of the group stage, [[Saurashtra cricket team|Saurashtra]] and [[Gujarat cricket team|Gujarat]] from Group A, [[Kerala cricket team|Kerala]] from Group B and [[Uttar Pradesh cricket team|Uttar Pradesh]] from Group C had also qualified for the quarter-finals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/news/ranji-takeaways-kerala-gujarat-sneak-through-to-complete-quarterfinal-line-up-1998383.html |title=Ranji Takeaways: Kerala, Gujarat Sneak Through to Complete Quarterfinal Line-up |work=Network18 Media and Investments Ltd |access-date=10 January 2019}}</ref>

[[Chhattisgarh cricket team|Chhattisgarh]] and [[Maharashtra cricket team|Maharashtra]] across Groups A and B were relegated to Group C,<ref name="ChhGoa">{{cite web|url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/106047/ranji-highlights-karnataka-uttarakhand-qualify-chhattisgarh-goa-relegated-india-cricket-madhya-pradesh-35-all-out |title=Ranji highlights: Karnataka, Uttarakhand qualify, Chhattisgarh, Goa relegated |work=CricBuzz |access-date=9 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/106029/ranji-highlights-rajasthan-qualify-maharashtra-relegated |title=Ranji highlights: Vidarbha qualify, Maharashtra relegated |work=CricBuzz |access-date=15 January 2019}}</ref> while [[Goa cricket team|Goa]] were relegated from Group C to the Plate Group for the next season.<ref name="ChhGoa"/>

===Knockout phase===
[[Kerala cricket team|Kerala]] were the first team to progress from the quarter-finals, after they beat [[Gujarat cricket team|Gujarat]] by 113 runs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/106174/ranji-trophy-2018-19-historic-win-hands-maiden-ranji-trophy-semifinal-appearance-to-kerala |title=Historic win hands maiden Ranji Trophy semifinal appearance to Kerala |work=CricBuzz |access-date=17 January 2019}}</ref> It was the first time in the team's history that they had reached the semi-finals of the Ranji Trophy, beating their previous best of the quarter-finals, in the [[2017–18 Ranji Trophy|previous edition]].<ref name="KeralaSF">{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25783545/kerala-vanquish-gujarat-enter-maiden-ranji-trophy-semi-final |title=Kerala vanquish Gujarat to enter maiden Ranji semi-final |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=17 January 2019}}</ref> The second team to qualify for the semi-finals was [[Karnataka cricket team|Karnataka]], after they beat [[Rajasthan cricket team|Rajasthan]] by six wickets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25790939/pandey-nair-take-karnataka-ranji-trophy-semi-finals |title=Pandey, Nair take Karnataka into Ranji Trophy semi-finals |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=18 January 2019}}</ref> Defending champions [[Vidarbha cricket team|Vidarbha]] beat [[Uttarakhand cricket team|Uttarakhand]] from the Plate Group by an innings and 115 runs to reach the semi-finals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-domestic/ranji-trophy/ranji-trophy-vidarbha-rout-uttarakhand-to-reach-semifinals/articleshow/67598302.cms |title=Ranji Trophy: Vidarbha rout Uttarakhand to reach semifinals |work=The Times of India |access-date=19 January 2019}}</ref> In the last quarter-final fixture to finish, [[Saurashtra cricket team|Saurashtra]] completed the highest successful run chase to win a match in the Ranji Trophy, scoring 372 runs to beat [[Uttar Pradesh cricket team|Uttar Pradesh]] by six wickets.<ref name="SauUP">{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25798678/saurashtra-pull-highest-chase-ranji-trophy-history-join-vidarbha-semi-finals |title=Saurashtra pull off highest chase in Ranji Trophy history, join Vidarbha in semi-finals |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=19 January 2019}}</ref>

The first semi-final saw the defending champions Vidarbha beat Kerala by an innings and 11 runs inside two days.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/ranji-trophy-2018-19-semi-final-vidarbha-vs-kerala-umesh-yadav-1438999-2019-01-25 |title=Ranji Trophy: Umesh Yadav demolishes Kerala, defending champions Vidarbha enter final |work=India Today |access-date=25 January 2019}}</ref> [[Wasim Jaffer]] became the first batsman to score 1,000 runs in two different seasons of the Ranji Trophy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/wasim-jaffer-1000-runs-ranji-trophy-vidarbha-vs-kerala-1438303-2019-01-24 |title=Wasim Jaffer 1st batsman to score 1000 runs in a Ranji Trophy season twice |work=India Today|date=24 January 2019 |access-date=28 January 2019}}</ref> [[Umesh Yadav]] took his best match figures in first-class cricket, taking twelve wickets for 79 runs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8050/report/1162719/day/2/kerala-vs-vidarbha-1st-semi-final-ranji-trophy |title=Umesh Yadav's 12-for seals innings win for Vidarbha |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=25 January 2019}}</ref> In the second semi-final, Saurashtra defeated Karnataka by five wickets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/ranji-trophy-semifinal-live-karnataka-vs-saurashtra-live-cricket-score-day-5-5557585/ |title=R Ranji Trophy 2018 Semi-final: Saurashtra beat Karnataka by 5 wickets to move into finals|work=Indian Express|date=28 January 2019|access-date=28 January 2019}}</ref>

Vidarbha defeated Saurashtra by 78 runs in the final, to become the sixth team in the tournament's history to retain their title. Vidarbha's captain [[Faiz Fazal]] said that "it is not easy to win the Ranji Trophy. To win eleven matches, it's not a fluke. If anyone thought last year was a fluke, we have proven ourselves again".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25943734/if-anyone-thought-last-year-was-fluke-proven-ourselves-again |title='If anyone thought last year was a fluke, we have proven ourselves again' |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=7 February 2019}}</ref> For Saurashtra, it was their third straight loss in Ranji Trophy finals, with their captain [[Jaydev Unadkat]] saying he was really proud of how his team performed during the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25944240/unadkat-confident-bright-future-sautrashtra-stumble-final-hurdle |title=Unadkat confident of bright future despite Sautrashtra's stumble at the final hurdle |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=7 February 2019}}</ref>

==Player transfers==
The following player transfers were approved ahead of the season.<ref name="transfer">{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25132728/list-domestic-transfers-ahead-2018-19-ranji-trophy-season |title=List of domestic transfers ahead of the 2018-19 Ranji Trophy season |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=31 October 2018}}</ref> All the new teams in the Plate Group also transferred players into their squads, along with signing professionals.<ref name="transfer"/>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Player
!From
!To
|-
|[[Karn Sharma]]
|Vidarbha
|Andhra
|-
|[[Harpreet Singh Bhatia]]
|Madhya Pradesh
|Chhattisgarh
|-
|[[Krishna Das (cricketer)|Krishna Das]]
|Assam
|Goa
|-
|[[Amit Verma (cricketer)|Amit Verma]]
|Assam
|Goa
|-
|[[Urvil Patel]]
|Baroda
|Gujarat
|-
|[[Irfan Pathan]]
|Baroda
|Jammu & Kashmir
|-
|[[Chandrakant Sakure]]
|Madhya Pradesh
|Railways
|-
|[[Madhur Khatri]]
|Rajasthan
|Railways
|-
|[[Rajat Paliwal]]
|Haryana
|Services
|-
|[[Arjun Sharma]]
|Himachal Pradesh
|Services
|-
|[[Abhishek Tiwari]]
|Uttar Pradesh
|Services
|-
|[[Harmeet Singh Baddhan]]
|Jammu & Kashmir
|Tripura
|-
|[[Bravish Shetty]]
|Mumbai
|Tripura
|}

==Teams==
The teams were drawn in the following groups:

{{col-begin}}
{{col-4}}
'''[[2018–19 Ranji Trophy Group A|Group A]]'''
* [[Baroda cricket team|Baroda]]
* [[Chhattisgarh cricket team|Chhattisgarh]]
* [[Gujarat cricket team|Gujarat]]
* [[Karnataka cricket team|Karnataka]]
* [[Maharashtra cricket team|Maharashtra]]
* [[Mumbai cricket team|Mumbai]]
* [[Railways cricket team|Railways]]
* [[Saurashtra cricket team|Saurashtra]]
* [[Vidarbha cricket team|Vidarbha]]

{{col-4}}
'''[[2018–19 Ranji Trophy Group B|Group B]]'''
* [[Andhra cricket team|Andhra]]
* [[Bengal cricket team|Bengal]]
* [[Delhi cricket team|Delhi]]
* [[Himachal Pradesh cricket team|Himachal Pradesh]]
* [[Hyderabad cricket team|Hyderabad]]
* [[Kerala cricket team|Kerala]]
* [[Madhya Pradesh cricket team|Madhya Pradesh]]
* [[Punjab cricket team (India)|Punjab]]
* [[Tamil Nadu cricket team|Tamil Nadu]]

{{col-4}}
'''[[2018–19 Ranji Trophy Group C|Group C]]'''
* [[Assam cricket team|Assam]]
* [[Goa cricket team|Goa]]
* [[Haryana cricket team|Haryana]]
* [[Jammu and Kashmir cricket team|Jammu & Kashmir]]
* [[Jharkhand cricket team|Jharkhand]]
* [[Odisha cricket team|Odisha]]
* [[Rajasthan cricket team|Rajasthan]]
* [[Services cricket team|Services]]
* [[Tripura cricket team|Tripura]]
* [[Uttar Pradesh cricket team|Uttar Pradesh]]

{{col-4}}
'''[[2018–19 Ranji Trophy Plate Group|Plate Group]]'''
* [[Arunachal Pradesh cricket team|Arunachal Pradesh]]
* [[Bihar cricket team|Bihar]]
* [[Manipur cricket team|Manipur]]
* [[Meghalaya cricket team|Meghalaya]]
* [[Mizoram cricket team|Mizoram]]
* [[Nagaland cricket team|Nagaland]]
* [[Pondicherry cricket team|Pondicherry]]
* [[Sikkim cricket team|Sikkim]]
* [[Uttarakhand cricket team|Uttarakhand]]
{{col-end}}

==League stage==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===[[2018–19 Ranji Trophy Group A|Group A]]===
{{2018–19 Ranji Trophy Group A}}

{{col-2}}

===[[2018–19 Ranji Trophy Group B|Group B]]===
{{2018–19 Ranji Trophy Group B}}
{{col-end}}

{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===[[2018–19 Ranji Trophy Group C|Group C]]===
{{2018–19 Ranji Trophy Group C}}

{{col-2}}

===[[2018–19 Ranji Trophy Plate Group|Plate Group]]===
{{2018–19 Ranji Trophy Plate Group}}
{{col-end}}

==Knockout stage==
{{8TeamBracket
| seed-width  = 25px
| team-width  = 125px
| score-width = 125px
| RD3         = Final

| RD1-seed1   = '''A1'''
| RD1-team1   = '''[[Vidarbha cricket team|Vidarbha]]'''
| RD1-score1  = '''629'''
| RD1-seed2   = P1
| RD1-team2   = [[Uttarakhand cricket team|Uttarakhand]]
| RD1-score2  = 355 & 159

| RD1-seed3   = '''B1'''
| RD1-team3   = '''[[Kerala cricket team|Kerala]]'''
| RD1-score3  = '''185 & 171'''
| RD1-seed4   = A4
| RD1-team4   = [[Gujarat cricket team|Gujarat]]
| RD1-score4  = 162 & 81

| RD1-seed5   = '''A2'''
| RD1-team5   = '''[[Saurashtra cricket team|Saurashtra]]'''
| RD1-score5  = '''208 & 372/4'''
| RD1-seed6   = C2
| RD1-team6   = [[Uttar Pradesh cricket team|Uttar Pradesh]]
| RD1-score6  = 385 & 194

| RD1-seed7   = A3
| RD1-team7   = '''[[Karnataka cricket team|Karnataka]]'''
| RD1-score7  = '''263 & 185/4'''
| RD1-seed8   = C1
| RD1-team8   = [[Rajasthan cricket team|Rajasthan]]
| RD1-score8  = 224 & 222

| RD2-seed1   = '''A1'''
| RD2-team1   = '''[[Vidarbha cricket team|Vidarbha]]'''
| RD2-score1  = '''208'''
| RD2-seed2   = B1
| RD2-team2   = [[Kerala cricket team|Kerala]]
| RD2-score2  = 106 & 91

| RD2-seed3   = '''A2'''
| RD2-team3   = '''[[Saurashtra cricket team|Saurashtra]]'''
| RD2-score3  = '''236 & 282/5'''
| RD2-seed4   = A3
| RD2-team4   = [[Karnataka cricket team|Karnataka]]
| RD2-score4  = 275 & 239

| RD3-seed1   = '''A1'''
| RD3-team1   = '''[[Vidarbha cricket team|Vidarbha]]'''
| RD3-score1  = '''312 & 200'''
| RD3-seed2   = A2
| RD3-team2   = [[Saurashtra cricket team|Saurashtra]]
| RD3-score2  = 307 & 127
}}

===Quarter-finals===
{{Two-innings cricket match
| date = 15–19 January 2019
| team1 = [[Uttarakhand cricket team|Uttarakhand]] 
| team2 = [[Vidarbha cricket team|Vidarbha]]
| round = '''1st Quarter-final'''
| score-team1-inns1 = 355 (108.4 overs)
| runs-team1-inns1 = [[Saurabh Rawat]] 108 (162)
| wickets-team1-inns1 = [[Umesh Yadav]] 4/90 (31.4 overs)

| score-team2-inns1 = 629 (184 overs)
| runs-team2-inns1 = [[Wasim Jaffer]] 206 (296)
| wickets-team2-inns1 = [[Dhanraj Sharma]] 3/101 (29 overs)

| score-team1-inns2 = 159 (65.1 overs)
| runs-team1-inns2 = [[Karn Kaushal]] 76 (137)
| wickets-team1-inns2 = [[Umesh Yadav]] 5/23 (15 overs)

| score-team2-inns2 = 
| runs-team2-inns2 = 
| wickets-team2-inns2 =

| venue = [[Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium]], [[Nagpur]]
| toss = Vidarbha won the toss and elected to field.
| umpires = [[Amiesh Saheba]] and [[Sudhir Asnani]]
| motm = [[Umesh Yadav]] (Vidarbha)
| rain = 
| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1162715.html Scorecard]
| result = Vidarbha won by an innings and 115 runs
| notes = [[Avneesh Sudha]] (Uttarakhand) made his first-class debut.
* [[Wasim Jaffer]] (Vidarbha) scored his 19,000th run in first-class cricket.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/ranji-trophy-2018-19-wasim-jaffer-crosses-19000-runs-during-206-in-quarters-792230 |title=Ranji Trophy 2018-19: Wasim Jaffer crosses 19,000 runs during 206 in quarters |work=Cricket Country |access-date=17 January 2019}}</ref>
}}
----
{{Two-innings cricket match
| date = 15–19 January 2019
| team1 = [[Uttar Pradesh cricket team|Uttar Pradesh]]
| team2 = [[Saurashtra cricket team|Saurashtra]]
| round = '''2nd Quarter-final'''
| score-team1-inns1 = 385 (103.3 overs)
| runs-team1-inns1 = [[Rinku Singh (cricketer)|Rinku Singh]] 150 (181)
| wickets-team1-inns1 = [[Jaydev Unadkat]] 5/86 (22.3 overs)

| score-team2-inns1 = 208 (66.4 overs)
| runs-team2-inns1 = [[Harvik Desai]] 84 (143)
| wickets-team2-inns1 = [[Yash Dayal]] 4/55 (17.3 overs)

| score-team1-inns2 = 194 (72.1 overs)
| runs-team1-inns2 = [[Mohammad Saif (cricketer, born 1996)|Mohammad Saif]] 48 (80)
| wickets-team1-inns2 = [[Dharmendrasinh Jadeja]] 4/53 (19 overs)

| score-team2-inns2 = 372/4 (115.1 overs)
| runs-team2-inns2 = [[Harvik Desai]] 116 (259)
| wickets-team2-inns2 = [[Akshdeep Nath]] 1/17 (5 overs)

| venue = [[Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium]], [[Lucknow]]
| toss = Uttar Pradesh won the toss and elected to bat.
| umpires = [[Abhijit Deshmukh (umpire)|Abhijit Deshmukh]] and [[Rohan Pandit]]
| motm = [[Harvik Desai]] (Saurashtra)
| rain = 
| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1162716.html Scorecard]
| result = Saurashtra won by 6 wickets
| notes = [[Rahul Rawat]] (Uttar Pradesh) made his first-class debut.
* [[Harvik Desai]] (Saurashtra) scored his maiden first-class century.<ref name="SauUP"/>
* This was the highest successful run chase to win a match in the Ranji Trophy.<ref name="SauUP"/>
}}
----
{{Two-innings cricket match
| date = 15–19 January 2019
| team1 = [[Rajasthan cricket team|Rajasthan]]
| team2 = [[Karnataka cricket team|Karnataka]]
| round = '''3rd Quarter-final'''
| score-team1-inns1 = 224 (77.1 overs)
| runs-team1-inns1 = [[Rajesh Bishnoi]] 79 (119)
| wickets-team1-inns1 = [[Abhimanyu Mithun]] 3/48 (17.1 overs)

| score-team2-inns1 = 263 (87.4 overs)
| runs-team2-inns1 = [[Vinay Kumar]] 83[[not out|*]] (144)
| wickets-team2-inns1 = [[Rahul Chahar]] 5/93 (26.1 overs)

| score-team1-inns2 = 222 (67.2 overs)
| runs-team1-inns2 = [[Robin Bist]] 44 (73)
| wickets-team1-inns2 = [[Krishnappa Gowtham]] 4/54 (19 overs)

| score-team2-inns2 = 185/4 (47.5 overs)
| runs-team2-inns2 = [[Manish Pandey]] 87[[not out|*]] (75)
| wickets-team2-inns2 = [[Aniket Choudhary]] 2/32 (13 overs)

| venue = [[M. Chinnaswamy Stadium]], [[Bangalore]]
| toss = Karnataka won the toss and elected to field.
| umpires = [[Nikhil Patwardhan]] and [[Nand Kishore (cricketer, born 1970)|Nand Kishore]]
| motm = [[Vinay Kumar]] (Karnataka)
| rain = 
| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1162717.html Scorecard]
| result = Karnataka won by 6 wickets
| notes = [[Tanveer Ul-Haq]] became the first bowler for Rajasthan to take 50 wickets in a single edition of the Ranji Trophy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25775398/vinay-kumar-batting-grit-saves-day-karnataka |title=Vinay's batting grit saves the day for Karnataka |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=16 January 2019}}</ref>
}}
----
{{Two-innings cricket match
| date = 15–19 January 2019
| team1 = [[Kerala cricket team|Kerala]]
| team2 = [[Gujarat cricket team|Gujarat]]
| round = '''4th Quarter-final'''
| score-team1-inns1 = 185 (39.3 overs)
| runs-team1-inns1 = [[Basil Thampi]] 37 (33)
| wickets-team1-inns1 = [[Chintan Gaja]] 4/57 (14.3 overs)

| score-team2-inns1 = 162 (51.4 overs)
| runs-team2-inns1 = [[Parthiv Patel]] 43 (36)
| wickets-team2-inns1 = [[Sandeep Warrier]] 4/42 (23 overs)

| score-team1-inns2 = 171 (59 overs)
| runs-team1-inns2 = [[Sijomon Joseph]] 56 (148)
| wickets-team1-inns2 = [[Roosh Kalaria]] 3/36 (17 overs)

| score-team2-inns2 = 81 (31.3 overs)
| runs-team2-inns2 = [[Rahul Shah]] 33[[not out|*]] (70)
| wickets-team2-inns2 = [[Basil Thampi]] 5/27 (12 overs)

| venue = [[Krishnagiri Stadium]], [[Wayanad]]
| toss = Gujarat won the toss and elected to field.
| umpires = [[Krishnaraj Srinath]] and [[Tapan Sharma]]
| motm = [[Basil Thampi]] (Kerala)
| rain = 
| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1162718.html Scorecard]
| result = Kerala won by 113 runs
| notes = [[Rahul Shah]] (Gujarat) made his first-class debut.
* [[Roosh Kalaria]] (Gujarat) took a [[List of hat-tricks in the Ranji Trophy|hat-trick]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cricketcountry.com/news/ranji-trophy-2018-19-roosh-kalaria-sixth-bowler-to-take-a-hat-trick-this-season-791978 |title=Ranji Trophy 2018-19: Roosh Kalaria sixth bowler to take a hat-trick this season |work=Cricket Country |access-date=7 February 2019}}</ref>
* This was the first time that Kerala had progressed to the semi-finals of the Ranji Trophy.<ref name="KeralaSF"/>
}}

===Semi-finals===
{{Two-innings cricket match
| date = 24–28 January 2019
| team1 = [[Kerala cricket team|Kerala]]
| team2 = [[Vidarbha cricket team|Vidarbha]]
| round = '''1st Semi-final'''
| score-team1-inns1 = 106 (28.4 overs)
| runs-team1-inns1 = [[Vishnu Vinod]] 37[[not out|*]] (50)
| wickets-team1-inns1 = [[Umesh Yadav]] 7/48 (12 overs)

| score-team2-inns1 = 208 (52.4 overs)
| runs-team2-inns1 = [[Faiz Fazal]] 75 (142)
| wickets-team2-inns1 = [[Sandeep Warrier]] 5/57 (16.4 overs)

| score-team1-inns2 = 91 (24.5 overs)
| runs-team1-inns2 = [[Arun Karthik]] 36 (33)
| wickets-team1-inns2 = [[Umesh Yadav]] 5/31 (10.5 overs)

| score-team2-inns2 = 
| runs-team2-inns2 = 
| wickets-team2-inns2 =

| venue = [[Krishnagiri Stadium]], [[Wayanad]]
| toss = Vidarbha won the toss and elected to field.
| umpires = [[Anil Dandekar]] and [[Virender Sharma]]
| motm = [[Umesh Yadav]] (Vidarbha)
| rain = 
| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1162719.html Scorecard]
| result = Vidarbha won by an innings and 11 runs
| notes =
}}
----
{{Two-innings cricket match
| date = 24–28 January 2019
| team1 = [[Karnataka cricket team|Karnataka]]
| team2 = [[Saurashtra cricket team|Saurashtra]]
| round = '''2nd Semi-final'''
| score-team1-inns1 = 275 (100.3 overs)
| runs-team1-inns1 = [[Shreyas Gopal]] 87 (182)
| wickets-team1-inns1 = [[Jaydev Unadkat]] 4/56 (21 overs)

| score-team2-inns1 = 236 (71 overs)
| runs-team2-inns1 = [[Snell Patel]] 85 (131)
| wickets-team2-inns1 = [[Ronit More]] 6/60 (18 overs)

| score-team1-inns2 = 239 (80 overs)
| runs-team1-inns2 = [[Shreyas Gopal]] 61 (138)
| wickets-team1-inns2 = [[Dharmendrasinh Jadeja]] 5/78 (28 overs)

| score-team2-inns2 = 282/5 (91.4 overs)
| runs-team2-inns2 = [[Cheteshwar Pujara]] 131[[not out|*]] (266)
| wickets-team2-inns2 = [[Vinay Kumar]] 3/75 (25 overs)

| venue = [[M. Chinnaswamy Stadium]], [[Bangalore]]
| toss = Karnataka won the toss and elected to bat.
| umpires = [[Ulhas Gandhe]] and [[Saiyed Khalid]]
| motm = [[Cheteshwar Pujara]] (Saurashtra)
| rain = 
| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1162720.html Scorecard]
| result = Saurashtra won by 5 wickets
| notes =  [[Jaydev Unadkat]] became the second bowler for Saurashtra, after [[Kamlesh Makvana]], to take 200 wickets in the Ranji Trophy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cricketcountry.com/news/ranji-trophy-2018-19-semi-final-2-jaydev-unadkat-dharmendrasinh-jadeja-peg-karnataka-back-795805 |title=Unadkat, Jadeja peg Karnataka back |work=Cricket Country |access-date=28 January 2019}}</ref>
* [[Dharmendrasinh Jadeja]] became the first bowler for Saurashtra to take 50 wickets in a Ranji Trophy season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/story/ranji-trophy-2018-19-semi-finals-day-3-live-updates-saurashtra-vs-karnataka-cricket-score-1439689-2019-01-26#close-overlay |title=Ranji Trophy semi-final Day 3 Highlights: Saurashtra vs Karnataka |work=India Today |access-date=28 January 2019}}</ref>
}}

===Final===
{{Two-innings cricket match
| date = 3–7 February 2019
| team1 = [[Vidarbha cricket team|Vidarbha]]
| team2 = [[Saurashtra cricket team|Saurashtra]]
| round = '''Final'''
| score-team1-inns1 = 312 (120.2 overs)
| runs-team1-inns1 = [[Akshay Karnewar]] 73[[not out|*]] (160)
| wickets-team1-inns1 = [[Jaydev Unadkat]] 3/54 (24 overs)

| score-team2-inns1 = 307 (117 overs)
| runs-team2-inns1 = [[Snell Patel]] 102 (209)
| wickets-team2-inns1 = [[Aditya Sarwate]] 5/98 (40 overs)

| score-team1-inns2 = 200 (92.5 overs)
| runs-team1-inns2 = [[Aditya Sarwate]] 49 (133)
| wickets-team1-inns2 = [[Dharmendrasinh Jadeja]] 6/96 (36.5 overs)

| score-team2-inns2 = 127 (58.4 overs)
| runs-team2-inns2 = [[Vishvaraj Jadeja (cricketer)|Vishvaraj Jadeja]] 52 (137)
| wickets-team2-inns2 = [[Aditya Sarwate]] 6/59 (24 overs)

| venue = [[Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium]], [[Nagpur]]
| toss = Vidarbha won the toss and elected to bat.
| umpires = [[Chettithody Shamshuddin]] and [[Anil Chaudhary (umpire)|Anil Chaudhary]]
| motm = [[Aditya Sarwate]] (Vidarbha)
| rain = 
| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1162721.html Scorecard]
| result = Vidarbha won by 78 runs
| notes = [[Wasim Jaffer]] (Vidarbha) played in his tenth Ranji Trophy final, and has been on the winning side every time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/wasim-jaffer-vidarbha-vs-saurashtra-ranji-trophy-final-nagpur-cricket-1450416-2019-02-07 |title=Ranji Trophy: Ageless Wasim Jaffer completes Perfect 10 after Vidarbha lifeline |work=India Today |access-date=7 February 2019}}</ref>
}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/_/id/8050/season/2018/ranji-trophy Series home at ESPNcricinfo]

{{Ranji Trophy}}
{{Domestic cricket in 2018–19}}
{{2018–19 in Indian cricket}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ranji Trophy, 2018-19}}
[[Category:2018 in Indian cricket]]
[[Category:2019 in Indian cricket]]
[[Category:Domestic cricket competitions in 2018–19]]
[[Category:Ranji Trophy seasons]]