Everything to play for
A preview of the sixth-round matches of the Ranji Trophy Super League, 2007-08
Cricinfo staff
16-Dec-2007
With just two rounds to go, this has been one of the closest Ranji Trophies in recent memory. After five rounds, only Baroda are virtually assured of a semi-final slot, while the three other places are up for grabs. Two points separate six teams in Group B, and any of them can make it to the semis. And to make matters even more interesting, it is still mathematically possible that even Baroda, seven points ahead of the rest, might not make the last four.
In Group A, although Delhi have the lead, both places are open as there are three other teams only two points behind them. Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh have a fight on their hands to avoid relegation. After what promises to be a fiery round of matches, the tussles for semi-final berths and to avoid relegation might still not be resolved.
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Maharashtra v Saurashtra in Nagothane
Tied at second place with 15 points each, Maharashtra and Saurashtra play the most crucial Group A match in this round. If Maharashtra opt for a green wicket here to atempt an outright win, they run the risk of playing into the hands of Sandeep Jobanputra and Sandip Maniar, the Saurashtra medium-pacers who have done well. Maharashtra can't afford to sit back either, as Mumbai and Saurashtra have come up rapidly.
Tied at second place with 15 points each, Maharashtra and Saurashtra play the most crucial Group A match in this round. If Maharashtra opt for a green wicket here to atempt an outright win, they run the risk of playing into the hands of Sandeep Jobanputra and Sandip Maniar, the Saurashtra medium-pacers who have done well. Maharashtra can't afford to sit back either, as Mumbai and Saurashtra have come up rapidly.
Saurashtra have made a late charge this season, but they have two difficult away matches coming up - their last game of the group stage will be against Mumbai.
Himachal Pradesh v Mumbai in Dharamshala
Mumbai are on a high after a sensational victory over Rajasthan at Jhalawar, and are back in semi-final contention. They will be going all out for an outright win. Himachal, on the other hand, have a fight on their hands to avoid relegation, and even one point from this game can prove crucial.
Mumbai are on a high after a sensational victory over Rajasthan at Jhalawar, and are back in semi-final contention. They will be going all out for an outright win. Himachal, on the other hand, have a fight on their hands to avoid relegation, and even one point from this game can prove crucial.
Karnataka v Delhi in Bangalore
Karnataka could so easily have been fighting for a semi-final place, had they not lost to Saurashtra by three runs. A win there would have taken them to 14 points, one behind the three teams at No. 2.
Karnataka could so easily have been fighting for a semi-final place, had they not lost to Saurashtra by three runs. A win there would have taken them to 14 points, one behind the three teams at No. 2.
Delhi, in the lead by two points, will look to seal a place in the semi-finals before their last game.
Click here for Sriram Veera's preview.
Tamil Nadu v Rajasthan in Chennai
Rajasthan have blossomed in the later half of the season, but will need to recover from the heart-breaking loss to Mumbai in their last game. They will still be fighting to avoid relegation, something they almost managed in the last game. They are currently at the bottom of Group A, trailing Himachal by one point.
Rajasthan have blossomed in the later half of the season, but will need to recover from the heart-breaking loss to Mumbai in their last game. They will still be fighting to avoid relegation, something they almost managed in the last game. They are currently at the bottom of Group A, trailing Himachal by one point.
Tamil Nadu have warmed up after a slow start. Their outright win over Himachal in the last game has banished the possibility of relegation, which was a possibility halfway through the season.
Andhra v Baroda in Visakhapatnam
A strong performance from Baroda will lay to rest the remote possibility of them not making it to the semi-finals. Andhra, who lost to Orissa and Hyderabad in their last two games, still have a chance to make it to the semi-finals, because of the other results in the group. They have nine points from four games.
A strong performance from Baroda will lay to rest the remote possibility of them not making it to the semi-finals. Andhra, who lost to Orissa and Hyderabad in their last two games, still have a chance to make it to the semi-finals, because of the other results in the group. They have nine points from four games.
Bengal v Uttar Pradesh in Kolkata
This is a repeat of the 2005-06 final, and it could eliminate one of the teams from the race to the semi-finals. Both of them have two matches to go, and have eight points each. It will be interesting to see how the teams go about the task: they could either play it safe in this match, avoid relegation, and then go for the broke in the next, or look for an outright win here itself.
This is a repeat of the 2005-06 final, and it could eliminate one of the teams from the race to the semi-finals. Both of them have two matches to go, and have eight points each. It will be interesting to see how the teams go about the task: they could either play it safe in this match, avoid relegation, and then go for the broke in the next, or look for an outright win here itself.
Punjab v Orissa in Mohali
Orissa have been the surprise package in Group B - their two successive outright wins have upset everybody's calculations. They will look to extend their dream run and get one step closer to the semi-finals. Punjab, playing their last game, will have to do their best here and sit and wait for the results in the other matches to see if they avoid relegation. They have plenty at stake too: if they win with a bonus point here, a semi-final spot can't be ruled out either.
Orissa have been the surprise package in Group B - their two successive outright wins have upset everybody's calculations. They will look to extend their dream run and get one step closer to the semi-finals. Punjab, playing their last game, will have to do their best here and sit and wait for the results in the other matches to see if they avoid relegation. They have plenty at stake too: if they win with a bonus point here, a semi-final spot can't be ruled out either.