Ranji Trophy 2025-26: The “Best of the Rest” XI — Stars Who Shined in Elimination
MUMBAI — The group stage of the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy officially wrapped up Monday, leaving a trail of heartbreak and “what-ifs” across the country. While heavyweights like Mumbai, Bengal, and Karnataka punched their tickets to the quarterfinals, the door slammed shut on 24 other squads.
But the scorecard doesn’t tell the whole story. Hidden within the exit lists are individual campaigns of absolute brilliance—seasons that deserve a spotlight even if their teams don’t get one.
We crunched the numbers, reviewed the tape, and built the ultimate Eliminated XI. These are the players who dominated the group stage but will be watching the knockouts from home.
The Openers: Youth & Fury
Sanat Sangwan (Delhi)
The Stat Line: 828 Runs | 69.00 Avg | 3 Centuries
Delhi’s season was a disaster—winless in seven matches—but Sanat Sangwan was the lone bright spot in the wreckage. The young southpaw didn’t just score; he carried the lineup. Finishing as the tournament’s second-highest run-getter, Sangwan treated the group stage like his personal batting cage. His ability to grind out days on tricky surfaces while his teammates faltered proves he’s ready for the next level.
Aman Mokhade (Vidarbha)
The Stat Line: 760 Runs | 76.00 Avg | 3 Centuries
Fresh off a Vijay Hazare Trophy win, Mokhade kept his foot on the gas. Vidarbha missed the quarters by a fraction of a Net Run Rate point, a brutal way to go out after collecting 31 points. Mokhade, however, can hold his head high. The 25-year-old was an anchor, churning out three hundreds and proving that his limited-overs success translates perfectly to the red-ball grind.
The Engine Room: Middle Order
Abhinav Tejrana (Goa)
The Stat Line: 788 Runs | 71.63 Avg | 4 Centuries
Goa managed only one win, but don’t blame Abhinav Tejrana. Batting at No. 3, he was a run-machine, smashing four centuries in just seven games. His consistency prevented Goa from sliding into the relegation zone, single-handedly keeping the scoreboard ticking when the top order collapsed. A breakout season for the batter.
Ruturaj Gaikwad (Maharashtra)
The Stat Line: 400+ Runs | 82.00 Avg | 5 Matches
Maharashtra missed the cut by the slimmest of margins, but their captain led from the front. Despite missing two games, Gaikwad’s presence was terrifying for bowlers. An average of 82 speaks to his class—he didn’t just occupy the crease; he dominated it, scoring quickly and forcing field changes at will.
Ayush Doseja (Delhi)
The Stat Line: 949 Runs | 105+ Avg | 4 Centuries
If Sangwan was the spark, Doseja was the fire. Leading all scorers in the group stage, the left-hander posted video-game numbers: 949 runs at an average over 105. His monumental 209 was the highlight of Delhi’s otherwise grim season. When a batter crosses 900 runs in the group stage alone, national selectors have to take notice.
Yash Rathod (Vidarbha)
The Stat Line: 645 Runs | 107.50 Avg
Rathod was arguably the most difficult wicket to take in Group A. Averaging nearly 108, he passed 50 in six of his eight innings. He provided the finishing kick for Vidarbha time and again, ensuring that even when the top order stumbled, the team posted competitive totals.
The All-Rounders: The Veterans
Jalaj Saxena (Maharashtra)
The Stat Line: 28 Wickets | 164 Runs
After moving from Kerala to Maharashtra for the 2025-26 season, the 39-year-old showed he hasn’t lost a step. Saxena remains the premier utility player in domestic cricket. With 28 wickets at under 25 apiece and crucial lower-order runs, he did everything asked of him. It’s a shame we won’t see his crafty off-spin in the knockouts.
Manisankar Murasingh (Tripura)
The Stat Line: 22 Wickets | 255 Runs
In a tournament dominated by spin, Tripura’s veteran pacer Murasingh stood out. Taking 22 wickets on pitches that often offered little to the quicks is no small feat. Add in his 255 runs, including a century, and you have the definition of a complete cricketer. Tripura finished second-to-last, but Murasingh was elite.
The Bowlers: Spin Twins & The Pace Ace
Siddharth Desai (Gujarat)
The Stat Line: 45 Wickets | 18.42 Avg | 6 Four-Wicket Hauls
The best bowler of the group stage is going home. Desai was unplayable, snagging a massive 45 wickets in seven matches. Left-arm spin is gold in Indian conditions, and Desai mined it for all it was worth, taking four or more wickets in an innings six times. Gujarat’s exit stings more knowing they had the tournament’s sharpest weapon in their arsenal.
Arjun Sharma (Left-Arm Spin)
The Stat Line: 34 Wickets | 17.08 Avg | 4 Five-Wicket Hauls
Matching Desai’s impact was Arjun Sharma. With four five-wicket hauls and an average of just 17, he spun webs around batters all season. On turning tracks, he was a captain’s dream, locking down one end and striking with lethal regularity.
MD Nidheesh (Kerala)
The Stat Line: 28 Wickets | 21.53 Avg | 3 Five-Wicket Hauls
While spinners grabbed the headlines, Kerala’s MD Nidheesh quietly put together a masterclass in pace bowling. Twenty-eight wickets at 21.53 is elite territory for a fast bowler in the Ranji Trophy. He hit the deck hard, moved the ball both ways, and claimed three five-for’s, proving that genuine pace still has a place in the domestic grind.
“It hurts. You look at the points table, see 31 points next to your name, and still see ‘Eliminated’. But looking at guys like Aman and Yash… they played their hearts out. We’ll be back.” — A Vidarbha Support Staff Member (Anonymous)
What’s Next?
The quarterfinals begin February 6, with heavyweights like Mumbai and Karnataka looking to capitalize on the absences of these stars. For the players listed above, the Ranji season is over, but the IPL 2026 auction dynamics and India ‘A’ selections just got a lot more interesting. Selectors love winners, but they can’t ignore numbers like these.
