Ranji Trophy 2012-13, Round V, Day 4

5.15 pm End of fifth round

12 games, five outright results, seven draws, two of them exciting. Hasn't been a bad four days of Ranji Trophy. Wins for UP, Punjab, J&K, Haryana and Tripura. Mumbai coming within three wickets of victory. Vidarbha edging out Tamil Nadu in a first-innings marathon. Saurashtra and Gujarat enforcing the follow-on.

The teams have three days to travel across the country to the venues for the sixth round, which begins on December 8. We'll be there to bring you the action. Good bye for now.

5 pm Haryana break Delhi resistance

Haryana have done it. They have their first win of the season after three successive losses at their home ground in Lahli, Rohtak. Offspinner Jayant Yadav has taken two wickets when it mattered the most. No. 11 Vikas Mishra is gone lbw off his 17th delivery. Delhi 209 all out, Haryana win by 83 runs, exactly by the first-innings lead they took.

Final score: Haryana 307 and 209 beat Delhi 224 and 209 (Manhas 73, Mishra 4-50, Mohit 3-29)

4.55 pm Lahli produces thriller once again

Delhi are 209 for 9, Mithun Manhas has fallen for 73. The last pair of Parvinder Awana and Vikas Mishra has survived four overs. The light is holding up, Haryana captain Amit Mishra has taken four. One away, just one away from six points.

4.40 pm Seventh Ranji win for Tripura

Tripura are not to be denied six points. Paras Dogra made his fourth century of the season, but Tripura ultimately got ten Himachal Pradesh wickets at the other end, even as the overs nearly ran out. The veteran batsman Abbas Ali, who has moved to Tripura from MP this season, took the final two wickets. He also had twin fifites in the match.

4.32 Bengal hang on to a draw

Not happening for Mumbai, they went against their usual practice and declared on day three to set Bengal a target of 391. Abhishek Nayar conjuring up a six-for out of nothing, but ultimately lacking support. Bengal finish 198 for 7. Three points to Mumbai, one to Bengal.

4.30 pm Last over at the CCI

Mumbai need a miracle. Amol Karhadkar: "And Nayar is back on for the last over of the day. Can he do the unthinkable?" Over to the man with the six-for and two fifties.

4.25 pm Penultimate over at the CCI

Says Amol Karhadkar: "Kshemal Waingankar replaces Nayar, whose second spell read 6-5-1-2, to bowl the penultimate over. Can he make up for dropping Saha that has proven costly for Mumbai?"

4.15 pm Himachal, Delhi and Bengal battle to avoid defeat

Himachal are 169 for 8 against Tripura, No. 3 Paras Dogra on 86, and No. 9 Kanwar Abhinay has played out 20 deliveries.

Old hand Mithun Manhas on 66 in Lahli, Rohtak, where Delhi are 199 for 7. Sumit Narwal at the other end.

From the CCI, our man Amol Karhadkar: "Veer Pratap Singh and Wriddhiman Saha are holding fort. Bengal are 197 for 7 with three overs to go."

4.10 Three points for Vidarbha

For the second time this season, Tamil have declared their innings, and the opposition has taken the first-innings lead. It happened against Karnataka, it has happened against Vidarbha in Nagpur. The hosts were 354 for 6 at one stage in reply to Tamil Nadu's 443 for 8 dec. But Vidarbha captain Ranjit Paradkar and fast bowler Shrikant Wagh hit fifties to give their side three points. Vidarbha are 448 for 7.

4 pm Nayar all over Bengal

Amol Karhadkar send this in: "And Nayar gets his five-for, finally! In the eighth mandatory over, he traps Jhunjhunwala in front. Bengal 190 for 6, with 45 balls remaining."

And a couple of minutes later, this: "Three balls later, he castles Laxmi Shukla for a duck. Mumbai need three more wickets in seven overs. Can they register their first outright victory of the season?"

3.55 pm Vidarbha on verge of taking lead

Paradkar and Wagh have almost done it, or have they? Vidarbha now need just nine more to take the lead over Tamil Nadu. They are 435 for 7, and Aushik Srinivas has just bowled Paradkar for 62

3.40 pm Vidarbha closing in on three points

The hosts are 410 for 6 now in Nagpur, just 34 away from going past Tamil Nadu's 443 for 8 dec. Paradkar 51*, Wagh 41*.

3.30 pm A look at the stalemates

Odisha settling for three points in Sambalpur. Maharashtra 315 and 333 for 5 v Odisha 441. Half-centuries from Khadiwale, Atitkar, Bawne and Khurana ensuring Maharashtra take a point.

In Valsad, Hyderabad 124 for 2 (Akshath Reddy 53*, B Sandeep 56*) following-on v Gujarat. Three points to the hosts, one to Hyderabad

In Rajkot, Railways 27 for 0, following-on v Saurashtra. Three points to the hosts, one to Railways

In Delhi, Services take three points, and Kerala one. The difference? A 21-run first-innings lead.

3.25 pm All calm after Nayar storm

Writes our man Amol from the CCI: "Subhomoy Das and Abhishek Jhunjhunwala have seen off the first 40 minutes into the last session. And as players regain their positions after a drinks break ahead of the beginning of the 15 mandatory overs, Bengal are 183 for 5, set to weather the Nayar storm." Nayar - 4 for 12 with the ball, 62 and 73* with the bat

3.20 pm Captain Amit Mishra steps up

Haryana's Amit Mishra has taken out Rajat Bhatia and Puneet Bisht in three balls. Mithun Manhas still there on 55, but the target of 293 looks far away now for Delhi at 173 for 6.

3.05 pm Thriller, of the first-innings kind

In Nagpur, Vidarbha need 58 more to get three points against Tamil Nadu, who require four wickets. Vidarbha 386 for 6, captain Ranjit Paradkar on 49*, Shrikant Wagh on 20*.

3 pm Tripura four wickets away in Nadaun

Further up north near the mountains, Himachal Pradesh are 102 for 6 in their chase of 359 against Tripura. Sanjay Majumder has just taken his third wicket. Paras Dogra, with a double century and two hundreds on this ground this season, resisting on 44.

2.55 pm Makings of another thriller in Lahli

There is something about this venue and exciting finishes. Last round, Baroda won by one wicket against hosts Haryana as their last pair put on 25. Now, Mithun Manhas (49*) and Rajat Bhatia (29*) have taken Delhi to 163 for 4. 130 needed in around 30 overs. Match on.

2.30 pm Tea update

Three outright results so far, chance of getting at least three more in the remaining nine games to make it six out of 12, which is not bad by Ranji standards at all. UP, Punjab and J&K have won. Mumbai, Tripura and Delhi/Haryana in with a chance.

Delhi 152 for 4 v Haryana, target 293

Railways 12 for 0, following-on v Saurashtra

Hyderabad 74 for 2, following-on v Gujarat

Vidarbha 368 for 6 v Tamil Nadu 443 for 8 dec

Maharashtra 315 and 313 for 5 v Odisha 441

Himachal 100 for 5 v Tripura, target 359

Kerala 314 and 179 for 3 v Services 335

Andhra 393 and 147 for 5 v Goa 328

2.30 pm Update from Mumbai v Bengal

Our man Amol: "Aavishkar Salvi's attempt to do a Kapil-Dev-in-1983-World-Cup-final goes in vain! In the last over before tea, Wriddhiman Saha charges down the wicket to Ramesh Powar and lofts it over Salvi at mid-on. The fast bowler keeps his eyes on the ball while running back and manages to time his dive to perfection but the ball spills out of his hands as he loses his balance. At tea, Saha on 26 and Abhishek Jhunjhunwala on 2. Bengal 175 for 5 [target 391]."

2.10 pm Tripura? Outright win?

Tripura are usually struggling to avoid innings defeats. They have been playing in the Ranji Trophy since 1985, and have won just six games in all. They now have Himachal Pradesh on 87 for 5 in a chase of 359 in Nadaun. Five more needed, can they do it?

2.05 pm Closing laps of the first-innings marathon in Nagpur

Ranjit Paradkar and Gaurav Upadhyaya gave Tamil Nadu a brief scare when they added 72, but Vijay Shankar has sent back Upadhyaya for 30. Vidarbha 356 for 6 v Tamil Nadu's 443 for 8 dec. Still trail by 87.

2 pm Bengal five down v Mumbai

Amol Karhadkar again from the CCI: "And there is the fifth wicket! Left-arm spinner Ankeet Chavan tosses it up and Subhomoy Das falls into the trap as he hits it straight into Ramesh Powar's hands at mid-on. Bengal 161 for 5 [target 391]. The game indeed is on!" Start the tuktuk local trains at Churchgate station

1.55 pm Now Saurashtra make Railways follow-on

Follow-ons galore. Saurashtra bowled out Railways for 335, for a lead of 241, offspinner Kamlesh Makvana taking a six-for. And Railways are out to bat again. 6 for 0 in the second innings

1.45 Gujarat enforce follow-on, strike again

Sides have started to feel the need to push for outright wins as the season progresses. After six points from four draws, Gujarat have ensured at least three more by taking a lead of 191 over Hyderabad. Instead of batting out the remainder of the day, they have made Hyderabad bat again, and have them 24 for 2, both wickets taken by India Under-19 bowler Rush Kalaria.

1.40 pm Delhi slide in Lahli

Haryana have the visitors in trouble at 115 for 4 in their chase of 293. Veterans Mithun Manhas and Rajat Bhatia trying to prevent further damage.

1.30 pm All happening in Mumbai

Amol has more: "And Nayar misses out on a deserving five-for! Subhomoy Das Wriddhiman Saha miscues an on-drive and Kshemal Waingankar makes a mess of a dolly at mid-on. You can't get an easier chance. Will this chance cost Mumbai an outright victory? Wait and watch!" You watch, I'll wait, in hope.

1.20 pm Nayar on fire

Says our man Amol Karhadkar, from the CCI, Mumbai: "Manoj Tiwary shoulders arms to one that was pitched way outside off, the ball zooms in and takes the off stump for a walk. Tiwary scored 14, Bengal 136 for 4 [target 391]." Abhishek Nayar 10-6-6-4, to add to his 62 and 73* in this match. W-o-w

1.10 pm J&K's first win of the season

Jammu & Kashmir have beaten Assam by 235 runs in Guwahati, the third outright result this round after Uttar Pradesh and Punjab won. Parvez Rassol has been outstanding, top-scoring in both innings with 67 and 120*, and taking 7 for 41 in Assam's first innings. Can't get a better all-round show than that. Six J&K bowlers among the wickets in Assam's second innings, with Ram Dayal taking three. Tarjinder Singh was the last man out for 105.

Scores: J&K 323 and 318 for 5 dec beat Assam 165 and 241 by 235 runs

1.05 pm Maharashtra lose four

Odisha's Lagnajit Samal has taken all three Maharashtra wickets to fall today. The visitors are 239 for 4 in Sambalpur, that is an effective lead of 113.

12.55 Gujarat, Saurashtra set to take big leads

In Rajkot, Railways are 297 for 9 v Saurashtra's 576 for 9 dec. Kamlesh Makvana has taken five wickets, Ravindra Jadeja three. The duo had put on 292 earlier. Some game they are having.

In Valsad, Hyderabad are 375 for 9 v Gujarat's 566. Three wickets each for Rush Kalaria and Rakesh Dhurv.

12.50 pm Nayar show at the CCI

Amol Karhadkar: "And the Nayar-Tare combo strikes yet again! Arindam Das, on 54, has a go at one that was pitched well outside off but only manages to edge it to the keeper. Bengal 125 for 3. The game is on?" You bet.

12.35 pm Nayar does it again

Our man Amol Karhadkar from the CCI: "Nayar strikes again! He bowls one short of a good length and manages to extract a bit of bounce and movement, which is enough for Writam Porel to nick it to Aditya Tare behind the wickets. Bengal 120 for 2. In walks captain Manoj Tiwary." Mumbai have set Bengal a target of 391

12.05 pm J&K need two more wickets

Assam are 203 for 8 chasing 477 against Jammu & Kashmir in Guwahati, where we are well into the second session because of the time difference.

11.50 am Lunch update

Bengal 119 for 1 v Mumbai, target 391

Hyderabad 367 for 7 v Gujarat 566

Railways 265 for 7 v Saurashtra 576 for 9 dec

Vidarbha 301 for 5 v Tamil Nadu 443 for 8 dec

Maharashtra 315 and 199 for 2 v Odisha 441

Delhi 50 for 1 v Haryana, target 293

Andhra 393 and 41 for 3 v Goa 328

Kerala 314 and 78 for 2 v Services 335

11.40 am Himachal lose openers

The Chopras, Aakash and Prashant, have fallen against Tripura. Himachal 10 for 2, target 359.

11.35 am Maharashtra steady after conceding lead

They are 199 for 2, effectively 73 for 2, against Odisha, who took a first-innings lead of 126. Harshad Khadiwale out for 92, Sangram Atitkar 84*

11.30 am Nayar breaks through for Mumbai

Rohit's bowling change works. Amol sends this: "And Nayar has done it! Rohan Banerjee tries to push at one that was fuller, edges it and Aditya Tare dives to his left to pouch an excellent catch. Banerjee scored 59 Bengal 116 for 1."

11.30 Balaji strikes for TN

L Balaji has done it for Tamil Nadu. He's bowled Hemang Badani for a duck, and then done the same to opener Faiz Fazal, who has gone for 143. Vidarbha 282 for 5, TN 443 for 8 dec

11.25 am Delhi lose Unmukt

India Under-19 captain Unmukt Chand has gone lbw to Mohit Sharma. Delhi 20 for 1, target 293

11.20 am Bengal 111 for 0

Says Amol Karhadkar: "With the five specialist bowlers failing to break the deadlock, Mumbai captain Rohit Sharma has thrown the ball to his dear friend Abhishek Nayar. While Banerjee has gone past a patient 50, Arindam Das is three short of the milestone." The target is 391.

11.05 am Hyderabad stumble

They have lost B Sandeep for 90 and Syed Quadri for 48 to India Under-19's medium-pacer Rush Kalaria in Valsad, and are 337 for 6. Gujarat made 566.

11 am Himachal need 359

Tripura have fallen for 177, Vikramjeet Malik picking up 5 for 36. Having conceded a first-innings lead of 181, Himachal technically have a huge chase on hand, but realistically, about two sessions to bat out.

10.55 Delhi have target of 293

Haryana captain Amit Mishra has become Sumit Narwal's fifth victim for 74. Haryana out for 209, overall lead 292. Will Delhi go for it? About 70 overs left.

10.45 am J&K march towards victory

Jammu & Kashmir, who have one point from three games, and two innings defeats, have Assam on 154 for 6 in Guwahati, in a near-impossible chase of 477.

10.40 am Andhra take lead

In Vizag, Goa have been dismissed for 328 v Andhra's 393, Ravikant Shukla last man out for 121. Andhra's D Shivkumar - 106* and 29-12-45-6. He's only 22.

10.35 am Hyderabad fight v Gujarat

The visitors have reached 331 for 4 in Valsad, in response to Gujarat's 566. B Sandeep 88*, Syed Quadri 46*

10.30 am Vidarbha lose third v TN

Another first-innings marathon on in Nagpur. Tamil Nadu have removed Shalabh Shrivastava for 28 but opener Faiz Fazal is still there on 132. Vidarbha 257 for 3 in reply to TN's 443 for 8 declared.

10.20 am Railways off track in Rajkot

Railways have collapsed from 168 for 1 against Saurashtra's 576 for 9 declared. Ravindra Jadeja has added two wickets to his triple century, Kamlesh Makvana three to his hundred, and Railways are 198 for 6. Three points for Saurashtra, surely?

10.15 am Amit Mishra stretches Haryana lead

Delhi medium-pacer Sumit Narwal has picked up four wickets, left-arm spinner Vikas Mishra has three in Lahli, Rohtak. But Amit Mishra's unbeaten 65 has carried hosts Haryana from 109 for 6 to 196 for 8. The overall lead is 279. Haryana favourites to take at least three points from the game.

10.10 am Bengal 69 for 0 v Mumbai

Mumbai declared last evening at Brabourne Stadium, setting Bengal 391 to win. The visitors are yet to lose a wicket in 28 overs. Our man Amol Karhadkar: "With Arindam Das and Rohan Banerjee preferring to see off the morning dew, there's hardly any action at the CCI. Even the club members who have been doing their fitness drills outside the boundary line and in the stands are dispersing rapidly."

Of course, Mumbai had their chance early in the morning. "Mumbai had a near-perfect start," says Amol. "Dhawal Kulkarni finds an edge off Rohan Banerjee's bat in the third over of the day but Hiken Shah, diving to his right, fails to latch on to the ball."

9.50 am Punjab win four in five

Jiwanjot finishes unbeaten on 110. Final score: Punjab 215 (Ravi Inder 85, Pankaj 5-45) and 206 for 1 (Jiwanjot 110*, Ravi Inder 60) beat Rajasthan 222 (Yadav 57, S Kaul 4-63) and 196 (Sandeep 5-57) by nine wickets

Punjab's unbelievable streak continues this season. It is a young side, young captain, young batsmen, young bowlers. They have two innings victories, over Hyderabad and Bengal, have beaten Saurashtra by eight wickets and have now defeated the defending champions Rajasthan by nine wickets.

All their wins have come at home in Mohali. The only time they didn't win, they took the first-innings lead against Railways in Bhubaneshwar. This round, they conceded a seven-run lead to Rajasthan, but their medium-pacers Sandeep Sharma, Baltej Singh and Siddarth Kaul brought them right back, demolishing Rajasthan for 196 in the second innings.

Punjab now have 29 points. They are up against 39-time champions Mumbai in the next round, which starts from December 8. Now that is going to be some game.

9.30 am Fourth and final day of fifth round

The games have started fifteen minutes early today, it being the final day. We will have the second outright result of this round shortly, from Mohali, where Punjab need just 23 more to complete a comprehensive win over Rajasthan. Jiwanjot Singh has just completed his latest century, his third in five first-class games. Punjab 181 for 1, chasing 204