Gujarat, Mumbai, Punjab and Delhi in two-horse race
Qualification scenarios for teams in Group A of the Ranji Trophy 2013-14
Abhishek Purohit
29-Dec-2013
Karnataka have already qualified for the quarter-finals. Gujarat, Mumbai, Punjab and Delhi are in the reckoning for the remaining two knockout spots from Group A. One of Odisha, Jharkhand and Haryana will be relegated.
Gujarat - 26 points from 7 matches; last league match v Mumbai
With 26 points, second-placed Gujarat are in the best position among the contenders. Even if they concede the first-innings lead to Mumbai, Gujarat will still finish ahead of the defending champions. And even if Punjab and Delhi win their games by a bonus point, Gujarat will still be guaranteed a third-place finish if they can take a point off Mumbai. Even a loss will see them through, as long as Punjab don't take the lead against Jharkhand or Delhi don't beat Karnataka by a bonus point.
With 26 points, second-placed Gujarat are in the best position among the contenders. Even if they concede the first-innings lead to Mumbai, Gujarat will still finish ahead of the defending champions. And even if Punjab and Delhi win their games by a bonus point, Gujarat will still be guaranteed a third-place finish if they can take a point off Mumbai. Even a loss will see them through, as long as Punjab don't take the lead against Jharkhand or Delhi don't beat Karnataka by a bonus point.
Mumbai - 23 points from 7 matches; last league match v Gujarat
If they lose to Gujarat, Mumbai will need Punjab to also lose, and Delhi to draw. If they concede the lead to Gujarat, they will also need Punjab to meet a similar fate or worse against Jharkhand, and also hope Delhi don't beat Karnataka. Their situation will improve if they take the lead, but they will still require Delhi to not win by a bonus point, and hope Punjab also don't win. A victory will carry them into the knockouts.
If they lose to Gujarat, Mumbai will need Punjab to also lose, and Delhi to draw. If they concede the lead to Gujarat, they will also need Punjab to meet a similar fate or worse against Jharkhand, and also hope Delhi don't beat Karnataka. Their situation will improve if they take the lead, but they will still require Delhi to not win by a bonus point, and hope Punjab also don't win. A victory will carry them into the knockouts.
Punjab - 23 points from 7 matches; last league match v Jharkhand
Punjab are in the same boat as Mumbai, with a slightly worse quotient, and will need the last round to play out similarly in their favour.
Punjab are in the same boat as Mumbai, with a slightly worse quotient, and will need the last round to play out similarly in their favour.
Delhi - 19 points from 7 matches; last league match v Karnataka
Delhi's chance is slim. They will need to beat leaders Karnataka, preferably by a bonus point. Six points will take them to 25, but still place them behind Gujarat, and even if one of Mumbai or Punjab take the lead, Delhi will be out. They do have the best quotient in the group, but for that to come into play, they need a bonus-point victory, and then pray that at least one of Mumbai or Punjab don't win.
Delhi's chance is slim. They will need to beat leaders Karnataka, preferably by a bonus point. Six points will take them to 25, but still place them behind Gujarat, and even if one of Mumbai or Punjab take the lead, Delhi will be out. They do have the best quotient in the group, but for that to come into play, they need a bonus-point victory, and then pray that at least one of Mumbai or Punjab don't win.
Odisha - 11 points from 7 matches; last league match v Haryana
Odisha just need to take a point off Haryana to avoid relegation. If they lose, though, Odisha will hope Jharkhand do not beat or take the lead against Punjab.
Odisha just need to take a point off Haryana to avoid relegation. If they lose, though, Odisha will hope Jharkhand do not beat or take the lead against Punjab.
Jharkhand - 9 points from 7 matches; last league match v Punjab
Jharkhand need three points against Punjab to ensure they don't return to Group C after just one season. If they concede the lead or lose, they will hope Haryana take no more than a point off Odisha.
Jharkhand need three points against Punjab to ensure they don't return to Group C after just one season. If they concede the lead or lose, they will hope Haryana take no more than a point off Odisha.
Haryana - 7 points from 7 matches; last league match v Odisha
Bottom-placed Haryana will be relegated if they lose or concede the lead to Odisha. Even if they gain the lead, they could avoid being pushed down to Group C only if Jharkhand lose or fail to take the lead against Punjab. A win over Odisha will put them in safe territory.
Bottom-placed Haryana will be relegated if they lose or concede the lead to Odisha. Even if they gain the lead, they could avoid being pushed down to Group C only if Jharkhand lose or fail to take the lead against Punjab. A win over Odisha will put them in safe territory.
Group A table
| Teams | Mat | Won | Lost | Tied | Draw | Aban | Pts | Quotient | For | Against |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karnataka | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 32 | 1.310 | 3474/92 | 3314/115 |
| Gujarat | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 26 | 1.276 | 3163/85 | 3208/110 |
| Mumbai | 7 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 23 | 1.159 | 3513/110 | 3361/122 |
| Punjab | 7 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 23 | 1.026 | 3393/119 | 3196/115 |
| Delhi | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 19 | 1.325 | 2919/83 | 2814/106 |
| Vidarbha | 8 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 12 | 0.699 | 3183/118 | 3973/103 |
| Odisha | 7 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 0.832 | 3364/102 | 3646/92 |
| Jharkhand | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 0.865 | 2974/108 | 2387/75 |
| Haryana | 7 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0.810 | 2890/126 | 2974/105 |
Abhishek Purohit is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo