Punjab, TN face must-wins; Karnataka seek innings lead in tight group

The ninth and final round of the Ranji Trophy begins on December 1, with seven quarter-final spots up for grabs. Only Mumbai are assured a knockout berth, having secured four outright wins to top their group irrespective of how they fare in their final clash. What are the seven possible teams that could join them? Here is a look at the possible scenarios:

Five out of the nine teams are in the hunt, with Delhi being the only ones who cannot control their fate, having completed their league engagements. Although Delhi currently top the table with 25 points from eight games, Bengal and Assam - who play each other in Guwahati - are also on the same number of points, with either side certain to leapfrog them. It is a fixture that could also decide which team tops the group, a proposition not many saw coming.

Delhi would not mind an outright win either for Assam or Bengal, for that would mean they remain above the team that loses. If that match finishes with both sides walking away with at least one point, Delhi's best chance would be to finish as the third qualifier from the group.

Although Assam are sitting pretty, they would be well aware that a slip up that coincides with Vidarbha and Karnataka winning outright could cost them a knockout berth. Assam can make it through even if they lose outright, if both Vidarbha and Karnataka are kept to a solitary point. One point for Karnataka will mean they draw level with Assam on 25 points, but Assam would hold the aces with three outright wins to Karnataka's two.

Like Assam, Bengal are also not immediately in the firing line, and a first-innings lead or an outright win should see them through. But a loss that coincides with a couple of results going against them could upset their apple cart, given they have just two outright wins.

The double-treble winning defending champions Karnataka need a first-innings lead against Maharashtra to progress, while an outright loss would bring their campaign to an end. If they concede the lead, however, they would need Assam to beat Bengal outright and Haryana, currently scrapping at the bottom of the group, taking at least three points against Vidarbha.

Meanwhile, the equation is simple for Vidarbha: win and book a place in the knockouts for a second-year running. They could still hope to scrape through by virtue of a first-innings lead if a host of other results go their way.

As many as six teams in Group B are vying for two spots, with Mumbai sitting pretty having sealed their knockout berth following their highest away chase in Ranji Trophy history, against Madhya Pradesh in Indore.

Currently placed second, Gujarat have the tough task of facing a red-hot Mumbai in their own den. A first-innings lead, at least, should see them through to the knockouts. But they would be leaving their fate to their group rivals if they lose outright or kept to just one point.

Punjab currently lie third and take on Tamil Nadu in a significant clash in Dindigul. With rains lashing India's southern tip over the last two weeks, Punjab are right on the edge, needing maximum game time. While an outright win will see them through, just a lead would mean they would be dependent on other results.

Like Punjab, TN too need full points. A win with a bonus point would seal their berth. But in the event of them winning without a bonus point, they will need Gujarat to beat Mumbai, hope the Uttar Pradesh-Baroda game ends in a draw, and that MP don't beat Andhra with a bonus point.

MP are also in with a slim chance, provided they win with a bonus point. If they don't get the extra point, they will go to 23 and must hope there is no outright winner in either the TN-Punjab clash or in the UP-Baroda clash.

Interestingly, UP and Baroda will be fighting a battle of their own and are in the least enviable position, needing to win with a bonus point to have any chance of qualifying. Even that may not be enough for UP if Gujarat and Punjab win outright.

Four sides are in contention for two slots, with Saurashtra, despite tailing off after posting four successive wins, best placed to top the group. They should back themselves to get a first-innings lead against Jammu & Kashmir to smoothen their passage into the last eight, where they could be boosted by the return of Cheteshwar Pujara, given he is unlikely to be in the scheme of things as far as limited-overs cricket with the national team is concerned.

Things are unlikely to get tricky even if they are pipped by J&K. In the event that two other sides are tied on points with them, Saurashtra would still qualify given they have the maximum number of outright wins in the group.

Also of consequence is the clash between Kerala and Himachal Pradesh in Mallapuram, with the winner assured of a quarter-final berth as well as promotion next year. The side that finds itself on the back foot will keenly follow Services, who play Tripura. With 20 points, Services need to win with a bonus point to throw their hat into the ring. For Jharkhand, a win against Hyderabad, placed second from bottom, is a must if they are to progress.