The Ranji Trophy 2024-25 is nearing its climax, with the quarterfinals scheduled to commence this Saturday. After several weeks of fierce competition in the group stage, only eight teams are left in the hunt for the coveted title.

The knockout phase has already seen some surprising adjustments, as the J&K vs Kerala match has been moved from Jammu due to unfavorable ground conditions, and the Haryana vs Mumbai game has been relocated from Lahli to Kolkata without any official reasoning from the BCCI.

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Jammu & Kashmir vs Kerala

Jammu & Kashmir has emerged as a surprising contender in the tournament, topping Elite Group A with five victories out of seven matches, including an impressive win against the 42-time champions, Mumbai. Their pace attack, featuring Auqib Nabi, Yudhvir Singh, and Umar Nazir, has been formidable, with Nabi leading the tournament’s wicket-taking charts at this stage. Additionally, Shubham Khajuria has been in spectacular form with the bat, amassing 663 runs at an average of 55.25, including a highest score of 255.

Kerala finished second in Elite Group C, narrowly behind Haryana. Salman Nizar has been a key player in their batting lineup, while the seasoned Jalaj Saxena has taken 33 wickets at a remarkable average of 14.81. With the neutral venue in Alur, both teams will be eager to showcase their skills in unfamiliar conditions.

Vidarbha vs Tamil Nadu

Vidarbha has established itself as a dominant force in the tournament, amassing 40 points in the group stage and finishing five points ahead of their nearest rival. Their record of six wins from seven matches underscores their superiority. Key batters Yash Rathod and Akshay Wadkar have made significant contributions, while Harsh Dubey has emerged as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 55 wickets at an average of 14.50.

Tamil Nadu had a more challenging path to the quarterfinals, relying on the bonus points system to advance past Chandigarh, despite winning the same number of matches as the group leaders, Saurashtra. However, their batting depth, featuring N Jagadeesan, C Andre Siddarth, and Vijay Shankar—all averaging over 60—could present a significant challenge. The clash between Vidarbha’s relentless bowling attack and Tamil Nadu’s formidable batting lineup is anticipated to be a highlight of the quarterfinals.

Haryana vs Mumbai

Haryana has remained consistent throughout this year’s Ranji Trophy, topping Elite Group C with 29 points, thanks to three wins and four draws. However, their match against Mumbai—the most successful team in Ranji Trophy history—will be a true test of their capabilities. Himanshu Rana and Anshul Kamboj have spearheaded Haryana’s efforts, with Kamboj claiming 29 wickets at an astounding average of 11.75.

Mumbai, on the other hand, narrowly qualified for the knockouts following a resounding victory over Meghalaya by an innings and 456 runs. Siddhesh Lad has enjoyed an exceptional season, averaging 86.33, while Shardul Thakur’s all-round skills make him a player to keep an eye on. The relocation from Lahli to Kolkata may influence the dynamics of this matchup, particularly with spin expected to play a more significant role.

Saurashtra vs Gujarat

The 2019-20 champions, Saurashtra, topped Elite Group D in a closely contested finish, outperforming Tamil Nadu and Chandigarh. Harvik Desai and Chirag Jani have been the standout performers with the bat, while Dharmendrasinh Jadeja leads the bowling attack with 35 wickets to his name.

Gujarat, who were runners-up in the 2016-17 season, finished second in Elite Group B with four wins. Key performer Manan Hingrajia has excelled with the bat, while Siddharth Desai showcased his match-winning prowess with a remarkable nine-wicket haul in a single innings. If Cheteshwar Pujara plays for Saurashtra, it could greatly enhance their chances in what promises to be a fiercely contested quarterfinal.

All quarterfinal matches will be live-streamed on JioCinema.

Fixtures:

Jammu & Kashmir vs Kerala in Pune

Vidarbha vs Tamil Nadu in Nagpur

Haryana vs Mumbai in Kolkata

Saurashtra vs Gujarat in Rajkot