The cricketing world is abuzz with anticipation as the quarterfinalists for this year’s Ranji Trophy have been confirmed. The thrilling matchups include Vidarbha clashing against Karnataka in Nagpur, Mumbai taking on Baroda in the bustling city of Mumbai, Tamil Nadu facing Saurashtra in the cricketing haven of Coimbatore, and Madhya Pradesh going head-to-head against Andhra in Indore. The culmination of the Ranji season promises high-octane encounters that will keep fans on the edge of their seats. All the quarterfinal battles are set to unfold between February 23 and 27, making it a week to remember for cricket enthusiasts.
Farewells and Triumphs in Group A
As the final leg of the Ranji season came to an end, it marked the last day in first-class cricket for Jharkhand’s Saurabh Tiwari and Varun Aaron, along with Vidarbha’s Faiz Fazal. In Group A, Anukul Roy’s stellar performance secured a 78-run victory for Jharkhand over Rajasthan. Meanwhile, Vidarbha defended a target of 298 against Haryana with a commendable collective bowling effort, earning their coveted spot in the quarterfinals.
Services gained a massive first-innings lead over Maharashtra, but the latter managed to hold onto a draw despite losing six wickets in their second innings. Anurag Kawade, Arshin Kulkarni, and Kaushal Tambe displayed resilience in a rearguard action that saw Maharashtra bat out ninety overs in their final innings for just 157.
Group B Drama and Unbeaten Heroics
In Group B, Andhra held Kerala to a draw after a massive first-innings lead. The last-wicket pair of Shoaib Md Khan and Penmetsa Raju denied Kerala an outright win. In another encounter, Priyam Garg’s valiant unbeaten 113 couldn’t power Uttar Pradesh to victory as they fell 75 runs short of the 277-run target set by Chhattisgarh.
Group C Battles and Quarterfinal Setups
Group C witnessed Mayank Sindhu’s gritty 150-ball 56 that helped Chandigarh draw against Karnataka. This performance set the stage for a quarterfinal clash between Karnataka and Vidarbha. Despite a century from Nehal Wadhera, Punjab couldn’t stave off defeat against Tamil Nadu, who secured a quarterfinal spot against Saurashtra.
Historic Chases and Determined Victories in Group D
Railways staged a historic fourth-innings chase, overhauling a massive target of 378 against Tripura, although it wasn’t enough to secure a spot in the quarterfinals. In Group D, Sumit Mathur’s five-wicket haul led Delhi to victory over Odisha, and Baroda held on for a draw against Uttarakhand, setting up their quarterfinal date with Mumbai. Madhya Pradesh, overcoming a first-innings deficit, registered a resounding 256-run victory, earning them a spot in the quarterfinals against Andhra.
Experience the pulsating action of the Ranji Trophy quarterfinals on CricAdvisor, your go-to destination for cricket updates and insights. Stay tuned for the fierce battles that will unfold between February 23 and 27, shaping the destiny of teams vying for Ranji Trophy glory.
