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Ranji Trophy was founded as the 'Cricket Championship of India' at a meeting of the Board of Control for Cricket in India in July 1934. The first Ranji Trophy fixtures took place in the 1934-35 season. Mumbai are the most successful state in Ranji's history, winning 41 titles, including 15 consecutive trophies between 1958 and 1973. Scoring Double Century is not anyone's cup of tea. But some incredible batters have mastered the art of scoring double centuries.
It's time, we look at the batters with the most double hundreds in Ranji Trophy History.
Most Double Hundreds in Ranji Trophy History
1. Paras Dogra | 9
Himachal Pradesh's batter Paras Dogra was one of the highest run-getters in First Class cricket during the mid-2000s. He has struck the most double centuries (9) in the Ranji Trophy history. The 39-year-old made his Ranji debut in the 2001-02 edition and accumulated over 9,500 runs in the tournament. Having made his First-Class debut in 2001-02, Dogra represented Himachal Pradesh for over a decade before shifting base to Pondicherry ahead of the 2018-19 season.
The right-handed batter moved to Jammu & Kashmir ahead of the 2024-25 season, and led the team to the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal. As a batter, Dogra had a forgettable season in Ranji Trophy 2024-25, with an average of 27.84 and just one century in 14 innings.
2. Cheteshwar Pujara | 9
The Saurashtra batter Cheteshwar Pujara equalled the record for the most double hundreds in Ranji Trophy with his ninth double ton in the format including two triple centuries and 12 centuries. Overall Pujara smashed 18 first-class double hundreds during his career. He played his first Ranji match against Vidarbha back in 2005.
His 18th double ton also helped him climb to the fourth spot in the list of most double centuries in first-class cricket leaving behind former England cricketers Herbert Sutcliffe and Mark Ramprakash who both have 17 first class centuries to their names. Pujara is now only behind Elias Henry Hendren (22), Wally Hammond (36) and Don Bradman (37) in terms of most double centuries in first class cricket.
3. Abhinav Mukund | 7
Abhinav Mukund comes in third place with seven double-tons in the Ranji Trophy. The left-handed opener showed his class on his debut Ranji knock, slamming a magnificent 100. Mukund made his India debut in 2011 and finished his first-class career in 2020 after representing the state in 64 Ranji matches, slamming 4,117 runs with 12 centuries and 17 fifties, with a highest score of 240.
4. Ajay Kumar Sharma | 7
Delhi's Ajay Kumar Sharma could not blossom for India for his off-the-field activities. During his 17-year-old first-class career, Sharma played for Delhi and Himachal Pradesh, slamming as many as seven Ranji Trophy double-centuries, which came in 85 matches, amassing 7,319 runs, with 31 tons and 20 fifties.
During the 1996-97 Ranji season, Ajay became the third player to score 1,000 runs in a single season. However, he was involved in match-fixing which led to the BCCI life banning the cricketer in 2000.
5. Ashok Malhotra | 6
Ashok Malhotra is known for his stylish and skillful batting in Ranji Trophy history. He scored six double centuries. He also worked as a coach for the Indian team temporarily during John Wright’s time when Wright had to leave due to an emergency. Malhotra’s highest score in Ranji Trophy was 258, which he made against Hyderabad while playing for Bengal.
6. Manoj Tiwary | 6
Manoj Tiwary made his Ranji Trophy debut in 2004 and showcased his potential, which gained recognition all over in first-class cricket. Tiwary represented Bengal for 19 years and registered six double-hundred in 79 matches, scoring 5,090 runs with 11 tons and 30 half-centuries.
The former Bengal captain played 12 ODI and three T20I for India between 2008 and 2015 but hasn't gotten enough chances to build an international career upon it. He can be considered as one of the unluckiest batsmen in the history of India, not for scoring runs and breaking records but if a cricket fan follows him regularly how he runs the game.
7. Surendra Shriram Bhave | 6
Surendra Shriram Bhave might not be very famous, but he played an important role in Maharashtra’s cricket history. He scored six double centuries in the Ranji Trophy and played his last Ranji Trophy match in 2001. His best score was 274, which he made against Bombay in the 1989-90 season.
In 97 first-class matches since his debut in 1986-87, Bhave accumulated nearly 8000 runs at an impressive average of over 58 with 28 hundreds and 27 half-centuries. Out of 28 tons, he converted seven of them into double centuries with a highest of 292 against South Zone in a Duleep Trophy match in Rourkela.