Ranji Trophy Super League: A clearer picture emerges

The third round of the Ranji Trophy Super League matches, which concluded on Sunday, has certainly cleared the picture as to which teams would be the qualifiers for the knock out stage. With their second outright victories in as many matches, Mumbai from group A and Tamil Nadu from group C opened up big leads in their respective pools. Mumbai has got 16 points from two games while Bengal and Karnataka are way behind with eight points from two games. Tamil Nadu, with 16 points from two matches are well ahead of the second placed Uttar Pradesh, who have 11 points from the same number of games. In group B, Baroda is perched comfortably on top with 18 points from three games, some distance ahead of second placed Railways, who have eleven points from two matches.

Mumbai, Tamil Nadu and Baroda have virtually made sure of a place in the next stage. At the same time, it is almost clear that Delhi and Rajasthan who each have eight points from three games in group A, Bihar with three points from three games in group B and Saurashtra with eight points from three matches and Haryana with three points from three games in group C are virtually out of the reckoning for a place in the knock out stage.

In group A, Bengal and Karnataka who each have eight points from two games, should be fighting it out for a berth in the knock out stage. The situation in group B is quite intriguing. Railways, Punjab and Hyderabad have each played two games and have eleven, ten and eight points respectively. So there is not much to choose between the three teams. In group C, the fight for second spot seems to be a straight contest between UP, with eleven points from two games, and Orissa who have eight points from two matches.

The surprise of the round was certainly Mumbai's emphatic 310 run victory over Delhi at the Kotla in group A. Matches between the two teams have almost always been keenly fought and even this game seemed to be level going till the end of the first innings. But thereafter Mumbai just ran away with the game. This was not only the only surprise however in the group for Rajasthan taking the first innings lead over Bengal at Calcutta was also unexpected. But in a way it only showed how much Bengal depends on Saurav Ganguly.

Matches in group B moved more according to expectations. In a battle of heavyweights, Baroda gained first innings points against Punjab while Railways, always looking the better team, defeated Bihar by 40 runs. There were some minor surprises in group C. Tamil Nadu's victory over Haryana was much easier than expected. The southern state is looking more and more impressive with each outing. Orissa on the other hand made a smashing comeback after they had lost to UP in their opening encounter.