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As the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season approaches its climax, the excitement is palpable among cricket enthusiasts. With only one team, Vidarbha, having secured a spot in the quarterfinals, the final league stage round set to commence on January 30 promises to be a thrilling contest. Fifteen teams are still in contention for the remaining seven spots, making every match critical. Here’s a detailed look at the qualification scenarios for each group.
Group A: A tight contest
Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) lead Group A with 29 points and must secure at least one point against Baroda to guarantee their place in the knockouts. If they falter, Mumbai, currently at 22 points, can leapfrog them by winning against Meghalaya by an innings or 10 wickets, aided by better bonus points (2 for Mumbai compared to J&K’s 1).
Baroda, sitting at 27 points, has a clear path to qualification: they need at least three points from their upcoming match against J&K, either through a draw with a first-innings lead or a win to potentially top the group. The defending champions, Mumbai, face a must-win situation against Meghalaya and will also depend on Baroda’s performance against J&K.
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Group B: Showdown for second place
In Group B, Gujarat (26 points) and Himachal Pradesh (21 points) are in direct competition for the second quarterfinal spot behind Vidarbha. Himachal Pradesh must achieve an outright victory over Gujarat to secure their place. The stakes are high as both teams aim for a win that could define their season.
Group C: Multiple contenders
Group C features a competitive landscape with Haryana leading at 26 points. They face Karnataka and need at least three points to ensure qualification. Kerala, with 21 points, is also in contention; a win against Bihar would secure their spot. Meanwhile, Karnataka (19 points) can qualify if they achieve a bonus point win over Haryana. Bengal (17 points) remains an outsider but can still advance if they win against Punjab while hoping for favourable results from other matches.
Group D: The final push
In Group D, Tamil Nadu (25 points) is in a strong position and can qualify by avoiding defeat against Jharkhand. Chandigarh (19 points) needs a bonus point win over Chhattisgarh to advance without depending on other outcomes. Saurashtra (18 points) requires both a victory over Assam with a bonus point and losses from Tamil Nadu or Chandigarh to keep their hopes alive.
Even teams like Railways (17 points), Delhi, and Jharkhand (both with 14 points) are mathematically still in the race but require several favourable results to qualify.
The final round of matches in the Ranji Trophy is set to be filled with tension and excitement as teams battle it out for the coveted quarterfinal spots. With intricate scenarios unfolding across all groups, fans can expect high-stakes cricket that could lead to dramatic upsets and unexpected qualifications.
