As the last round of Ranji Trophy fixtures get underway on Thursday, only Vidarbha have confirmed their quarterfinal spot. For the remaining seven spots 12 teams from all four groups are in contention as they scramble for points to seal their spot in the quarterfinals.
The teams who have the advantage of playing at home will likely try to use their conditions to their advantage by preparing pitches that will suit their strength. Some teams need a draw, so flat decks are the need of the hour. For some not just a win, but one with bonus point is mandatory…so green tops and raging turners will be the order of the day.
Though the BCCI has been sending neutral curators to oversee pitch preparation, it is unlikely to make any sort of difference as state associations have a lot to gain from. Here The Indian Express looks at what each of these teams need and what they are likely to come up with.
Group A
Teams in contention: Jammu & Kashmir (29), Baroda (27) and Mumbai (22).
Who is facing who?
Baroda vs Jammu & Kashmir:
Hosts Baroda find themselves in a dicey place thanks to Mumbai who are chasing them closely. So for their match against J&K at the Reliance Stadium, they are set to roll out a pitch that will take turn from Day 2 and undergo natural wear and tear. The reason is simple: Baroda just need to take a first innings lead which will get them three points and take them to 30 – a tally that Mumbai can’t match. In such a scenario even J&K will get one point to seal their spot. With Mumbai being a powerhouse and a tough match-up in knockouts should they qualify, Baroda are inclined to play it safe. A draw would benefit both the teams as they have a lot to lose rather than gain with a win.
Mumbai vs Meghalaya:
The domestic powerhouse hosts a team that is yet to get off the mark this Ranji season in search of a win with bonus point. If they do that Mumbai will get seven points that will take them to 29 and then hope either Baroda or J&K lose their match. If that game ends in a draw, then even if Mumbai win with a bonus at BKC – where a green top is rolled out, it will only be a consolation.
Group B
Teams in contention: Vidarbha (Q), Gujarat (26), Himachal Pradesh (21).
Who is facing who?
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Gujarat vs Himachal Pradesh: It is a straight forward situation where teams placed two and three are vying for one spot. Thanks to the five-point lead they enjoy, Gujarat just need a draw at Ahmedabad to make it to the quarterfinals. Though winter conditions usually bring seam movement into play, it would bring Himachal into the game, so word around is that Gujarat have decided to play on a flat deck that will nullify the opposition’s chances of going for a win.
Group C
Teams in contention: Haryana (26), Kerala (21), Karnataka (19).
Who is facing who?
Haryana vs Karnataka:
At M Chinnaswamy, everything is at stake for both the teams, where a ‘good surface that will keep everyone interested’ has been rolled out. It isn’t a surprising tactic as Karnataka need to win this contest by bonus point to be assured of a quarterfinal spot. Historically, the venue has assisted seamers, especially in the early part of the match.
But what is making Karnataka to tread cautiously is if the conditions are heavily rolled in favour of seamers or resembles a green top that would be hard to differentiate with outfield, then it will also bring Haryana into the game who are not new to such conditions thanks to their experience of playing their home fixture at Lahli.
However, a bowler-friendly pitch will be on display at Bengaluru, where a full-strength Karnataka that includes KL Rahul, will take the field. For Haryana it is simple: A draw is enough and even if they lose, they should avoid conceding bonus point.
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Kerala vs Bihar: Kerala are best placed to qualify as they face Bihar who are at the bottom of the table with just one point. Given their overall strength, for this fixture at Thumba, a spin-friendly surface is expected that would assist the hosts Kerala who are likely to be without Baba Aparajith. Though they have good seam bowling options, Kerala are banking a lot on their premier all-rounder Jalaj Saxena to take them through.
Group D
Teams in contention: Tamil Nadu (25), Chandigarh (19), Saurashtra (18)
Who is playing who?
Tamil Nadu vs Jharkhand: TN have a good lead at the top, but they are not yet certain of a quarterfinal spot. All they need is one point at Jamshedpur, but playing up north in winter has been their biggest Achilles heel over the years especially in case of a green top. However, with hosts out of reckoning, the conditions seem pretty much flat at Jamshedpur which is keeping the TN ranks optimistic of qualifying for the knockouts for a second season in succession.
Chhattisgarh vs Chandigarh: Like TN, Chandigarh don’t have the luxury of playing at home. Although a place in the last-eight is there for the taking, whether Chandigarh are able to force a result at Raipur is the question. In the two matches they played this season at home, Chhattisgarh have preferred batting friendly surfaces that will boost their batsmen. So expect them to not drift away from the ploy. Chandigarh have to be prepared for a scrap and hope for a win, else Saurashtra will pip them.
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Saurashtra vs Assam: Of all the teams, they are best prepared to make it through. They were struggling to stay afloat before the Ranji restarted, but following a 10-wicket win over Delhi last week, they are now a win away from progressing. With Ravindra Jadeja around, Saurashtra are set to play on another square turner where a possibility of a two-day finish is highly likely. But key here is given the other possibilities, a win with bonus point is necessary for Saurashtra to qualify without depending on other results.
If TN and Chandigarh draw their matches, even 6 points is enough for Saurashtra to make it. If both TN and Chandigarh lose, then Saurashtra with 6 points can make it.