There's little room for failure now
A preview of the fifth round of Ranji Trophy matches
Cricinfo staff
08-Dec-2007
After more than a month of the 2007-08 Ranji Trophy, there have been many unexpected results. It's next to impossible to predict favourites at the start of the season, but it can be said that three out of the top four sides, at the moment, were not expected to be here. This is also the time where mistakes will prove fatal; failures at this stage are difficult to come back from. Teams who are lagging behind and are looking for that final dash will have to start right now. Here's a look at the Super League matches starting Sunday:
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Bengal v Orissa at Siliguri
Bengal have undone a poor start to their season with an outright win against Punjab and need to continue their comeback when they play neighbours Orissa. They stay back at the same venue - Siliguri - where they registered their first win of the season. With eight points from three matches, they are now placed at No. 3. Orissa, though, are themselves coming off an outright away win over Hyderabad and should not be taken lightly.
Bengal have undone a poor start to their season with an outright win against Punjab and need to continue their comeback when they play neighbours Orissa. They stay back at the same venue - Siliguri - where they registered their first win of the season. With eight points from three matches, they are now placed at No. 3. Orissa, though, are themselves coming off an outright away win over Hyderabad and should not be taken lightly.
Hyderabad v Andhra in Hyderabad
For a change, Andhra will go in as favourites in this derby. They are placed second in Group B and would want to create some gap between them and Bengal, as they take on a weak Hyderabad side. Hyderabad have just lost to Orissa and are in desperate need of a boost, which will help them stave off relegation. Currently they are locked with Orissa at the bottom of the table.
For a change, Andhra will go in as favourites in this derby. They are placed second in Group B and would want to create some gap between them and Bengal, as they take on a weak Hyderabad side. Hyderabad have just lost to Orissa and are in desperate need of a boost, which will help them stave off relegation. Currently they are locked with Orissa at the bottom of the table.
Punjab v Baroda at Amritsar
Baroda have been the team to beat so far. They have beaten Bengal by an innings and 59 runs and Uttar Pradesh by 48 runs and have first-innings points from a draw against Hyderabad. Punjab, with a depleted side, have put up a creditable show so far, with first-innings leads against UP and Andhra, but will have to recover from the loss against Bengal. Baroda will ensure that won't be easy.
Baroda have been the team to beat so far. They have beaten Bengal by an innings and 59 runs and Uttar Pradesh by 48 runs and have first-innings points from a draw against Hyderabad. Punjab, with a depleted side, have put up a creditable show so far, with first-innings leads against UP and Andhra, but will have to recover from the loss against Bengal. Baroda will ensure that won't be easy.
Karnataka v Saurashtra in Mysore
Karnataka, who many tipped as one of the favourites in Group A, have put up an ordinary show so far, conceding first-innings leads to Mumbai, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan. Saurashtra have surprised many with their grit and will be tough opponents for Karnataka, who need no less than five points from this match to give themselves a realistic chance of progressing to the next round.
Karnataka, who many tipped as one of the favourites in Group A, have put up an ordinary show so far, conceding first-innings leads to Mumbai, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan. Saurashtra have surprised many with their grit and will be tough opponents for Karnataka, who need no less than five points from this match to give themselves a realistic chance of progressing to the next round.
Maharashtra v Delhi at Nagothane
The two surprise leaders of Group A meet at an unusual venue and could take a definitive step towards the semi-finals, something nobody would have predicted before the start of the season. You can read the full preview here.
The two surprise leaders of Group A meet at an unusual venue and could take a definitive step towards the semi-finals, something nobody would have predicted before the start of the season. You can read the full preview here.
Rajasthan v Mumbai at Jhalawar
Mumbai, defending Ranji champions, have had a disappointing start so far, conceding leads to Delhi and Maharashtra. But they have three weak opponents up next, and with Rajasthan they could start a finishing flourish akin to what they showed last season, after they had four points from four matches. Rajasthan, playing at home, can claim the mental boost of having scored their first points with a first-innings lead against Karnataka.
Mumbai, defending Ranji champions, have had a disappointing start so far, conceding leads to Delhi and Maharashtra. But they have three weak opponents up next, and with Rajasthan they could start a finishing flourish akin to what they showed last season, after they had four points from four matches. Rajasthan, playing at home, can claim the mental boost of having scored their first points with a first-innings lead against Karnataka.
Tamil Nadu v Himachal Pradesh in Chennai
With three points from the game against Saurashtra, Tamil Nadu have steered clear of the bottom of the table, but in the match against Himachal Pradesh they will want to ensure that relegation is off. Himachal have put up good shows in patches against the strong teams, and they would like to see that potential transform into results against TN, one of the weaker teams in the group. They will take heart from having bowled Delhi out for 75 in the previous game.
With three points from the game against Saurashtra, Tamil Nadu have steered clear of the bottom of the table, but in the match against Himachal Pradesh they will want to ensure that relegation is off. Himachal have put up good shows in patches against the strong teams, and they would like to see that potential transform into results against TN, one of the weaker teams in the group. They will take heart from having bowled Delhi out for 75 in the previous game.