Photo via The Times of India

9 wickets before IND A call-up! Harsh Dubey scripts history with stunning Ranji spell

Vidarbha’s Harsh Dubey made history in the Ranji Trophy with a career-defining nine-wicket haul, dismantling Madhya Pradesh for just 209 runs in a single day at Jamtha. The left-arm spinner’s figures of 9/53 shattered Vidarbha’s previous best of eight wickets in an innings, set by Arun Ogiral over half a century ago, and marked only the 30th such feat in Ranji Trophy history.

Dubey’s spell—his second five-wicket haul in the tournament this season—was particularly dominant, reducing Madhya Pradesh to 64/5 by the 29th over before finishing them off in 66.1 overs. His performance came just hours before his inclusion in India’s 15-man squad for the upcoming ACC Men’s Rising Stars Asia Cup, capping a standout year that included ODI debuts, international tours, and consistent success across domestic competitions.

Vidarbha, however, struggled with the bat, ending the day at 56/4, leaving them 153 runs behind after Madhya Pradesh’s bowlers—led by Kumar Kartikeya’s three wickets—stifled their top order.

Dubey’s rise has been meteoric, with 23 wickets in seven Ranji Trophy matches this season alone and a strong showing in the Duleep Trophy earlier this year. His international breakthrough included four ODI wickets against Afghanistan and a productive tour with India A in Sri Lanka, where he took three wickets and scored 59 runs.

The 23-year-old’s latest achievement underscores his rapid ascent as a key talent for both Vidarbha and the national team, with the Rising Stars Asia Cup serving as his next major stage. His record-breaking spell not only rewrote Vidarbha’s record books but also cemented his place among India’s most promising young cricketers ahead of the tournament in Doha later this year.

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