Top 10 highest individual scores in Ranji Trophy

1. Bhausaheb Nimbalkar (Maharashtra) 443* vs. Kathiawar 1948-49

This is the most famous score in Indian First Class cricket history. Maharashtra met Kathiawar in the 1^st round of Ranji Trophy in Poona.

Kathiawar batted first and scored 238 runs on the first day. Maharashtra made the Kathiawar chase leather for 2 days and scored 826 for 4 wickets at lunch on 3^rd day. During the lunch, the Captain of Kathiawar Thakore Saheb of Rajkot called the Maharashtra captain Raja Gokhale and gave him an ultimatum to either declare the innings or his team would pack their bags and leave. Thakore sahib didn’t wanted the Kathiawar team’s name in record books for wrong reasons as Bhausaheb Nimbalkar stood on 443*, 9 runs shy of then record of Sir Don Bradman’s 452 and also the record set by Holkars 9 years earlier of 912.

But the Kathiawar captain refused to budge to request of even 2 overs for Nimbalkar to break the record and decided to pack their bags and left for the station to catch their train back. No negotiations were entertained. Even a wireless message from Sir Don himself requesting the Kathiwar captain to allow Nimbalkar to break his record could soften Kathiawar Captain. In the end, poor Nimbalkar was left stranded on 443*, just 9 runs shy of a world record. He was sent a note by Sir Don lauding him for his effort. Maharashtra were awarded the match by forfeit.

Bhausaheb Nimbalkar’s 443* remains the highest individual score in Ranji Trophy.

*All stats updated til 11th February 2015.