The first Ranji Trophy match, which is India's premier domestic cricket competition, was played in 1934 between the teams of Bombay (now Mumbai) and the North-Western Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh) at the Gymkhana Ground in Bombay.

The tournament was named after Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji, who was the ruler of the Indian state of Nawanagar and a prominent cricketer in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Ranjitsinhji had played for the England cricket team, but had always harbored a desire to see a strong Indian cricket team. The Ranji Trophy was established in his honor as a way to develop and promote Indian cricket talent.

The inaugural tournament was contested by 10 teams representing different regions of India, including Bombay, the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh), Bengal, Madras (now Chennai), and the Central Provinces (now Madhya Pradesh). The tournament was played in a knockout format, with the winner being crowned the Ranji Trophy champions.

The first match between Bombay and the North-Western Provinces was a closely contested affair, with Bombay eventually emerging as the victors by an innings and 27 runs. Bombay's victory was largely due to the performance of their captain, Vijay Hazare, who scored an unbeaten 155 in the first innings and took three wickets in the match.

The tournament has since become an integral part of Indian cricket, and has played a major role in the development of cricket talent in the country. The competition has seen the emergence of many of India's greatest cricketers, including Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, and Rahul Dravid.

Today, the Ranji Trophy features 38 teams representing different regions of India, and is played in a round-robin format followed by knockout stages. The tournament is highly regarded by Indian cricket fans, and winning the Ranji Trophy is considered a great honor for any cricketer.