Ranji Trophy: J&K Looks to Sustain Winning Streak Against Kerala; Saurashtra Seeks Advantage Over Gujarat in Quarterfinals

New Delhi, Feb 7 (NationPress) The Ranji Trophy 2024-25 has reached a crucial stage, with the quarterfinals commencing on Saturday. Following several weeks of fierce competition in the group phase, only eight teams remain in the race for the prestigious title.

However, the knockout rounds have already seen some surprising developments, with the J&K vs Kerala match relocated from Jammu due to unfavorable ground conditions and the Haryana vs Mumbai game moved from Lahli to Kolkata without any official clarification from the BCCI.

Jammu & Kashmir vs Kerala

Jammu & Kashmir has emerged as the unexpected standout of the tournament, finishing first in Elite Group A with five victories in seven matches, including a notable win against the 42-time champions, Mumbai. Their pace attack, featuring Auqib Nabi, Yudhvir Singh, and Umar Nazir, has been formidable, with Nabi currently leading the tournament's wicket-takers. Shubham Khajuria has been in exceptional batting form, amassing 663 runs at an average of 55.25, including a remarkable highest score of 255.

Conversely, Kerala secured the second position in Elite Group C, narrowly falling short of the top spot behind Haryana. Salman Nizar has been their key batsman, while the seasoned Jalaj Saxena has taken 33 wickets with an impressive average of 14.81. The neutral venue in Alur adds an intriguing twist, as both teams strive to demonstrate their capabilities in unfamiliar surroundings.

Vidarbha vs Tamil Nadu

Vidarbha has showcased exceptional performance throughout the tournament, accumulating 40 points in the group stage, five points ahead of their closest rival. Their six wins in seven matches underline their dominance. Key batters include Yash Rathod and Akshay Wadkar, while Harsh Dubey has emerged as the tournament's leading wicket-taker, claiming 55 wickets at an average of 14.50.

Tamil Nadu's path to the knockout stage was less straightforward. They relied on the bonus points system to surpass Chandigarh, despite winning the same number of games as group leaders Saurashtra. However, their deep batting lineup—including N Jagadeesan, C Andre Siddarth, and Vijay Shankar, all averaging over 60—could present a significant challenge. The clash between Vidarbha's relentless bowling and Tamil Nadu's formidable batting is poised to be a highlight of the quarterfinals.

Haryana vs Mumbai

Haryana has been one of the most consistent teams in this year's Ranji Trophy, finishing first in Elite Group C with 29 points after three wins and four draws. However, their match against Mumbai—the most illustrious team in Ranji Trophy history—will test their resolve. Himanshu Rana and Anshul Kamboj have spearheaded Haryana's efforts, with Kamboj taking 29 wickets at an astonishing average of 11.75.

Meanwhile, Mumbai appeared at risk of missing the knockout stage before a commanding victory over Meghalaya—by an innings and 456 runs—secured their advancement. Siddhesh Lad has been in outstanding form, averaging 86.33 this season, while Shardul Thakur’s all-round contributions make him a key player to watch. The shift from Lahli to Kolkata could alter the dynamics of this contest, with spin expected to play a more significant role.

Saurashtra vs Gujarat

Saurashtra, the champions of 2019-20, topped Elite Group D in a closely contested finish, surpassing Tamil Nadu and Chandigarh. Harvik Desai and Chirag Jani have been the standout batters, while Dharmendrasinh Jadeja has led the bowling attack with 35 wickets.

Gujarat, the runners-up in 2016-17, secured the second spot in Elite Group B, winning four matches. Manan Hingrajia has been their key performer with the bat, while Siddharth Desai’s nine-wicket haul in a single innings demonstrated his match-winning potential. If Cheteshwar Pujara plays for Saurashtra, it could significantly bolster their chances in what is set to be a fiercely contested quarterfinal.

All quarterfinal matches will be live-streamed on JioCinema.

Fixtures:

Jammu & Kashmir vs Kerala in Pune

Vidarbha vs Tamil Nadu in Nagpur

Haryana vs Mumbai in Kolkata

Saurashtra vs Gujarat in Rajkot