Ranji blog - J&K through to knockouts, Vidarbha bag another win

And we finish the day and the league stage with a stunning record! Services have chased down a big total of 376, with all 10 wickets intact, beating Odisha in the very last game of the league rounds. Suraj Vashisht stays unbeaten on 154 and Shubham Rohilla on 209 off 270 balls. It's the second-highest chase in Ranji Trophy history, just behind Railways chasing 378 against Tripura, also in the last league round last season. What coincidence!

Sampath tells me Services' record is also the highest-ever first-class successful chase without losing a single wicket. The previous highest was 331 by Sargodha vs Lahore City in 1999.

Here are some more results, although all eight knockout berths are confirmed:

Karnataka have missed the knockouts berth but their new 21-year-old batter R Smaran is continuing the century streak. He has now brought up a century against Haryana, studded with 10 fours and two sixes, following his 203 against Punjab and the century he had struck against Vidarbha in the 50-over format (Vijay Hazare Trophy).

And we have a result in the first session itself. Vidarbha had already qualified for the knockouts from Group B and they have finished the league stage with a bang, a 58-run win over Hyderabad that keeps them unbeaten. They won six of their seven games outright, drew the other, and top the Group B table with as many as 40 points, that can't be matched by anyone. Probably the best team of the league stage.

They were all out for 190 in the first innings against Hyderabad, but they fought back with a 93 from Atharva Taide and a century from Karun Nair (105) to set Hyderabad 220, and on the last day it's a six-for from 22-year-old left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey that scripts their victory.

Not a lot of action is left for this last day of the last round of this Ranji season, as one knockout spot is still left to be booked. Some of the big teams are still in action: Baroda against J&K, Maharashtra vs Tripura, Hyderabad vs Vidarbha, Karnataka vs Haryana and MP vs UP.

All eyes on the Baroda vs J&K clash in Vadodara from Group A, because the winner will join Mumbai in the knockouts. Baroda were set a stiff 365 and they are in trouble at 133 for 6 in the first session after being 58 for 2 overnight, taken down by a six-for from offspinner Sahil Lotra. A victory here will take J&K to the top of the table.

That's the only game with something at stake. There have been a few milestones today as well:

Mumbai through. Winner of Baroda v J&K will join them. Baroda have been set 365 for victory in under 4 sessions.

Vidarbha and Gujarat through

Haryana and Kerala through

Saurashtra and TN through.

It's been a dramatic third day in Baroda.

It started with J&K alleging the pitch had been tampered with overnight to suit the home team's strengths, spin. The hosts dismissed those claims, stating it was the early morning winter dampness that was at play.

J&K who resumed on 125 for 1 are currently 256 for 9 at tea. The overall lead stands at 336, which is still formidable and can be potentially match-winning. But Baroda have nothing to lose and will have to go for broke, because even if they settle for a draw, they'll see Mumbai pip them.

So for Baroda it's all about cleaning up the final J&K wicket quickly and make a mad dash to the target to try and win, and seal the knockouts berth.

Baroda's spin trio of Krunal Pandya, Ninad Rathva and Mahesh Pithiya have picked up three wickets apiece.

In what was a knockout before the knockouts, Gujarat have beaten Himachal by nine wickets to seal their spot from Group B along with Vidarbha.

It was a tight affair for much of the game, with Himachal, who were bowled out for 215, responding by bowling Gujarat out for 247. But a second-innings batting meltdown that led to them being bowled out for 175 proved costly.

Even so, a target of 145 could've proved to be challenging, but Gujarat's top order led by Aarya Desai and Jaymeet Patel hit half-centuries to turn a potentially difficult chase into a cruise.

He's just 20, but has already hit six hundreds and five half-centuries. Nishant Sindhu's latest blockbuster brought him a counter-attacking 165 off just 184 balls to help Haryana take a 146-run lead against Karnataka in Bengaluru.

Karnataka appear to simply be going through the motions. There's not much left in terms of qualification as they're knocked out. KL Rahul, who made 26 in the first innings, comes out to bat. He has an opportunity to bat for a day and a half if he wishes, since there's just some batting time to be had for them.

Jadeja didn't bowl a single over in Saurashtra's win over Assam after picking up 12 wickets in the previous game against Delhi. It's quite natural to wonder why. It turns out, Jadeja was simply exercising caution with the Champions Trophy coming up. He batted in the first innings, though, and made 19. And he fielded right through the course of both the innings.

Kohli won't have a second crack on his Ranji comeback. That's because Delhi have beaten Railways by an innings and 19 runs. Spinner Shivam Sharma, who is returning to first class cricket this season after almost four years, was the hero of their win with a third five-for in first-class cricket.

Mumbai have taken just one session to wrap up the game against Meghalaya, picking up the eight wickets they needed to secure a bonus-point win. This takes them to 29 points and into the knockouts. Tanush Kotian and Shardul Thakur pick up four wickets apiece. Shardul finishes with eight in the match.

During the 18th over of Railways' second innings, chaos broke out when three spectators broke the security cordon on the boundary and came onto the field and tried to touch Virat Kohli's feet. More than 20 security personnels had to come on leading to the match being stopped for three minutes.

"Earlier on the first day of the match, when Kohli was fielding, a spectator broke the security cordon and came onto the field and touched Virat Kohli's feet. As for the match situation, Railways are 74/4, trailing by 59."

Made to follow-on, Assam's second innings lasted just 36.4 overs as they've been bowled out for 166. This gives Saurashtra a win by an innings and 144 runs. Having posted two bonus-point wins in the back end, they're now through to the knockouts.

Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, who picked up four wickets in the first innings, end up with a five-for this time around. Riyan Parag, who top scored with 51 in the first innings for Assam, was out for a two-ball duck in the second innings.

In Kolkata, Bengal have beaten Punjab by an innings as Wriddhiman Saha signs off with a win. His only innings in the game brought him no runs. He finishes with 7169 first-class runs in 209 innings at an average of 41.68. This includes 14 hundreds and 44 fifties.

loud cheers from whatever crowd is in so far as the Delhi team walks out with Kohli, says Vishal Dikshit.

Daya Sagar adds: Himanshu Sangwan, who made headlines by taking Virat Kohli's wicket on Friday, continued to bowl superbly. Taking advantage of the favorable morning conditions, he took two more wickets as Delhi were bowled out for 374, which gives them a lead of over 100.

Jammu & Kashmir have staged a protest over what they believe is "pitch fixing" by Baroda. As a result, the third day's play at the Reliance Stadium has been delayed. J&K believe the surface they've seen on this morning is vastly different to the one they played on yesterday. After a lot of deliberation between the umpires, match referee and J&k team management, play is finally set to begin at 10.55am.

J&K have taken the lead and are effectively 209 for 1. A draw in this game will see them through. Baroda, on the other hand, are now chasing the game. Nothing but an outright win will be enough for them to qualify.

The official reasoning is "play was delayed due to pitch dampness."

Jharkhand have won by 45 runs. They've only taken a little more than an hour to pick up the four wickets they needed. TN managed to add 52, but ran out of gas. They finish their campaign with two wins in six games, giving them a mid-table finish.

The loss notwithstanding, TN are through to the knockouts (unless Chandigarh pull off a miracle, which is next to impossible as things stand)

The quarterfinals line-up seems more or less confirmed, but for some crazy turnaround over the next couple of days.

First up, TN are hurtling towards a defeat in Jamshedpur against Jharkhand on a rank turner. The day dawned with them needing 97 with five wickets in hand. They've lost two early but have also quickly scored 36. The target is now down to 61 more with three wickets in hand.

Vijay Shankar could add just two to his overnight 31, so Jharkhand are well and truly into the lower order.

The loss notwithstanding, TN are set to qualify. That's because Chandigarh, who had to beat Chhattisgarh outright to pip them, have conceded a lead. It looks like there are only two results possible. A draw or a Chhattisgarh win. So, it's safe to assume TN will be through.

Remember, TN won't have the services of B Indrajith. He won't bat; he's nursing a calf injury.

That brings us to the end of another action-packed day. More tomorrow!

Daya Sagar will bring you a story on Himanshu Sangwan - the Railways ticket collector who shattered Kohli's stumps.

I'll bring you all the highlights - the major talking points.

We'll also have a very special piece from Rahul Bhattacharya on the Kohli frenzy and how 'King' became 'Aam Aadmi'

Adios.

Jammu & Kashmir can see the knockouts on the horizon. Having taken an 80-run lead against Baroda, they're 125/1 in the second innings. This means they're effectively 205 for 1 with two days remaining. A draw will be enough for them to qualify, but it's possible they can head into the knockouts with an outright win.

If that happens, Mumbai will possibly join them in the knockouts because they're in line for an innings win over Meghalaya.

Teams in line: J&K, Mumbai

Vidarbha were through even before this round. But they're under the pump in the final round, trailing Hyderabad by 80 but have already lost two wickets in the second innings.

Gujarat have taken the first-innings honours against Himachal, so the onus is on HP to do all the running. Don't see Gujarat declaring - they could bat, bat and bat if they aren't dismissed.

Kerala have trounced Bihar to seal their spot.

Haryana will join them, which knocks Karnataka out as there's no way they can win with a bonus point with Haryana having avoided the follow-on.

TN's campaign would've been shaky had Chandigarh won, but with them having withered, TN will likely qualify anyway. Tomorrow in Jamshedpur, they will need 97 more, but have only five wickets in hand.

Saurashtra are looking good to win by an innings against Assam.

For playing 100 Tests. Only three Delhi cricketers have got there: Virender Sehwag, Ishant Sharma and now Kohli.

Kerala are through to the quarterfinals.

They've beaten Bihar by an innings and 169 runs as they lasted a combined 64.2 overs across both innings to make 64 and 118.

Another 10-wicket haul for Indian cricket's grand old war horse - Jalaj Saxena - who shows no signs of slowing down.

The only point where Kerala were challenged was when they were reduced to 189 for 7 yesterday. Then Salman Nizar hit 150, with some support from the lower order to take them to 351, which was more than enough to secure victory.

Two games. Two bonus-point wins were needed.

They smashed Delhi to get full seven points last week at home.

And they're about to dish out the same treatment to Assam, who in response to Saurashtra's 474, have been rolled over for 164 in the first innings. Riyan Parag, returning from a shoulder injury, top-scored with 51.

Saurashtra have enforced the follow-on.

Dharmendrasinh Jadeja picked up four wickets to be the pick of the bowlers.

How the stars have aligned for Saurashtra. Both their remaining games to finish off the season were at home and they've maximised home advantage to the fullest.

31-2-124-3.

Uttar Pradesh have been sent on a leather hunt. Double centuries from Harsh Gawali and Shubham Sharma has helped post a mammoth 670 for 7 declared.

From a qualification standpoint, this game doesn't hold much significance since both teams are out of the knockouts race.

Rajan Raj from Jamshedpur: "In the first five sessions of play, a staggering 27 wickets fell, but the surface has since shown subtle signs of change. Tamil Nadu's batters, chasing a target of 234, have found a relatively smoother path compared to earlier phases, yet challenges persist. At 92/3 chasing 234, they have lost a crucial wicket, and while the pitch appears slightly more forgiving, sharp turn continues to pose a threat on select deliveries. The battle is far from over."

Firstly, they needed to beat Haryana with a bonus point to qualify. In Ranji Trophy, only a win by an innings or by 10 wickets gives you a bonus point. Karnataka can't achieve both, because they only made 304 in the first innings and Haryana are 145 for 1, needing just nine more to avoid the follow-on.

For them to qualify with a win (without bonus), they needed Kerala to be held off by Bihar. That ain't happening either. Bihar were bundled out for 64 in the first innings and are 64/5 in the second innings after being made to follow-on.

So it's increasingly looking like Kerala and Haryana will qualify from Group C

Daya Sagar from Kotla: Delhi captain Ayush Badoni was moving swiftly towards his fourth first-class century. Two overs prior to his dismissal, he raced to 99, his last 16 coming off two sixes and a four. But in trying to complete his curry with a six, like Railways wicketkeeper Upendra Yadav, he has perished having been caught at short fine as he top-edges a slog off Karn Sharma.

Badoni hit 12 fours and three towering sixes all around the field during his 77-ball innings. Delhi's first innings lead is almost certain. They need a bonus-point win to keep their knockout hopes alive.

Earlier in separate Ranji matches, Cheteshwar Pujara was dismissed on 99 and Ajinkya Rahane on 96, while in the same match yesterday, Upendra Yadav also missed his century after being dismissed on 95.

Rajan Raj from Jamshedpur: Jharkhand has set a 234-run target for Tamil Nadu, with the spotlight once again on off-spinners Utkarsh and Aditya. Utkarsh, who claimed six wickets in Tamil Nadu’s first innings, made a crucial contribution with the bat, scoring 35 runs in Jharkhand’s second innings. Aditya matched his effort with another valuable 35-run knock. Both players, key figures with the ball, will now be expected to deliver once again as Jharkhand looks to defend its total.

Having been bowled out for 304, they've now seen the Haryana openers put on a half-century stand by lunch. Karnataka need to win with a bonus point, but those possibilities are looking slim because the only way they can get seven now is if they win by an innings.

The other way they can progress with just a win is if Bihar hold off Kerala, but that's looking unlikely. Bihar have slipped to 50 for 6 in response to Kerala's 351.

Rajan Raj from Jamshedpur: The game is slipping away from Tamil Nadu as Jharkhand's lead has extended to 208 runs. On this pitch, 21 wickets fell on the first day, and six more have tumbled so far on the second day. For Tamil Nadu, this lead is becoming increasingly precarious. The wicket continues to turn just as it did yesterday, which is likely to make any target above 200 exceedingly challenging. Tamil Nadu need at least a draw to secure a spot in the knockout stage, but that now seems like a daunting task.

He was beaten outside off twice in his first 10 deliveries, on both occasions by fast bowler Kunal Yadav. The first one was full and swung away late from off-stump with Kohli looking to work it through the on-side. The next was short of length and rising, Kohli jabbed and missed.

Kohli broke the shackles by stamping his authority quickly by smashing one back past Himanshu Sangwan for his first boundary off his 14th delivery, but the thrill ended there. Off the very next delivery, Sangwan got one to jag back in off length as Kohli was beaten on the inside edge attempting an expansive drive as the off stump was flattened. A pumped Sangwan's nerves popped as he yelled into the pitch in delight. What a sight to send Kohli's stumps cartwheeling.

Can see the crowd thinning already minutes after Kohli's dismissal.

For the 210th and last time in first-class cricket, Wriddhiman Saha walks out to bat. He's set to bring the curtains down on an 18-year career at the end of this match. He walks in with Bengal 217/6, leading by 26. Yesterday, he was felicitated by Snehasish Ganguly, the Cricket Association of Bengal president.

Yes, that's right. A strong home crowd is vociferously cheering the dismissal of one of their own. Yash Dhull is unlikely to ever feel this way again. A strong crowd of 15,000 went up in an appeal along with the Railways team and the decibel levels around the Kotla shot up several notches the moment the umpire raised his finger.

This game against Madhya Pradesh in Indore marks Kuldeep Yadav's return to first-class cricket following a recovery from a sports hernia that needed surgery in November. After six weeks of rehab, he's now back in India's ODI squad for the England series as well as the Champions Trophy. This is his only game to get back into his groove ahead of those assignments.

Yesterday, Kuldeep picked up the only wicket to fall in the entire day's play as Madhya Pradesh made Uttar Pradesh run ragged. Kuldeep struck to break a 147-run opening stand with the wicket of Himanshu Mantri, and has since seen Harsh Gawli and Shubham Sharma hit centuries.

Warm welcome.

There's a buzz around the Kotla, perhaps even more than yesterday. They're anticipating the batting entry of their hero, Virat Kohli, who makes his return to the Ranji Trophy after more than 12 years. Delhi are 41/1 and trail by 200. Kohli's expected to walk in to bat next.

Daya Sagar, our correspondent who was at the Kotla, writes about the frenzy he witnessed.

We're tending towards stumps at most places.

The big talking point is of course TN's massive meltdown in a must-win game. Among the big stars, Rahul missed out despite getting off to a start. Siraj managed just one wicket, while Kohli's yet to bat. Pujara and Rahane, meanwhile, hit fifties as Saurashtra and Mumbai are in the ascendancy.

Vishal Dikshit signs off with an update from Mumbai:

Mumbai have bossed the first day against Meghalaya with a healthy lead of 127, and Siddhesh Lad and captain Ajinkya Rahane looking solid in the 80s. The star of the day, however, was Shardul Thakur, who bagged a hat-trick in the first 20 minutes of the day, in his second over.

He pitched the ball up, swung it away (and into left-hand batters) and had reduced the visitors to 2 for 6 before they staged a comeback to post 86. Once the sun came out and the ball was old, conditions eased out for batting and even though Mumbai lost two wickets they were put in the driver's seat by two reliable and experienced batters with a century stand. Their strong position keeps their hopes of a bonus-point win alive to make the knockouts from Group A.

Some serious lower-order resistance from Upendra Yadav (95) and Karn Sharma (50) has helped Railways recover from 66 for 5. It's over to Delhi now to see if they can try and build a massive total to open up the possibility of winning with a bonus point to stay alive. More than 15,000 spectators who trooped in this morning are still around hoping to see Virat Kohli bat. It's likely they'll all be back tomorrow should Kohli not come out to bat, or if he's unbeaten overnight.

In a game where they simply needed a draw, Tamil Nadu have been bundled out for 106 on a day where the first innings of both sides has concluded with Jharkhand taking a 79-run lead. Utkarsh Singh, no more than a part-time off spinner, ends up with six wickets.

Vishal Dikshit from BKC: With a quick single on the off side, Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane has crossed the 50-run mark for the first time this Ranji season, off 102 balls. It’s taken him 10 innings to get there, and he will hope to build on it to help his team into the knockouts. The half-century comes soon after No. 3 Siddhesh Lad got to his fifty too in this century partnership for the third wicket that is helping Mumbai build a solid led after bowling out Meghalaya for 86 earlier in the day, with Shardul Thakur’s hat-trick. Mumbai lead by 67 runs with about an hour’s play left in the day.

Karnataka have to win with a bonus point. But there's a way where they could qualify with just a win. And that's if Bihar do them a favour and hold off Kerala. As things stand, Bihar haven't done too badly, having restricted Kerala to 218 for 7. It could've been far worse, but half-centuries from Salman Nizar and Shoun Roger has helped revive a floundering innings.

Karnataka are in choppy waters as they lose the wickets of Devdutt Padikkal and R Smaran in quick succession. Both lbws in successive overs. Padikkal first fell when Thakral got one to bend back in from around the stumps to trap him on the crease. Then Smaran plays back to a sharp-turning delivery from Nishant Sindhu and is plumb in front of middle.

Karnataka want to ideally bat big to try and win by a bonus point. They've now got two new batters in KL Shrijith and Yashovardhan Parantap at the crease. For those who don't know, Parantap, 21, is a seam-bowling allrounder playing in only his third first-class game. Players of his skillsets are rare and the early signs are promising. But here's a massive, massive challenge for him.

Pujara has had a lean run by his standards so far this season, but the tide may be turning at a vital juncture.

In a must-win game, he's helped build on a solid foundation laid by Harvik Desai and Chirag Jani. It has been a typically stodgy effort that has so far brought him 52 not out off 93 deliveries as Saurashtra are 280 for 2 against Assam.

Outside of the 234 he made against Chhattisgarh, Pujara had a highest of 16 in six other outings this season prior to this innings.

From 121 for 8, a half-century stand between Harsh Dubey and Yash Thakur has lifted Vidarbha to 180 for 9 against Hyderabad. Dubey, the highest wicket-taker in the competition with 48 scalps, made 65 before falling to Mohammed Siraj who wheeled away all morning without much luck. This was Dubey's maiden half-century of the season. As things stand, Siraj's figures read: 18-7-47-1

It's been a knock of two parts.

Of struggles and a real fight against the seamers. Having been reprieved first ball after a close lbw shout that Haryana didn't review, he has batted well outside the crease and focused on getting a big stride in to negate the lbws against the moving ball.

Against spin, there's been his trademark dominance as he hasn't allowed them to settle. Neither Nishant Sindhu nor Jayant Yadav have been able to stop him thus far. He's currently batting on 70 with six fours and three sixes.

Surely Mayank must be among the top batters of spin in India currently. There's an authority to his batting against spin that you don't often see in first-class cricket.

Karnataka are currently 130 for 2, with Padikkal looking to rebuild with Mayank after Rahul's dismissal.

In Rajkot, on what seems to be a turner, Saurashtra are looking to bat once and bat big against Assam in a game they have to win with a bonus point to qualify for the knockouts.

In trying to bat first, they haven't missed out on scoring opportunities. Runs have come at a breakneck speed as Harvik Desai has charged to a century. He's currently batting on 106, alongside Cheteshwar Pujara after the openers (Harvik and Chirag Jani) put on 146 in 29.3 overs.

Saurashtra are currently 207 for 1. Pujara has gotten off to a start and is on 21.

He'd be disappointed to have wasted a start. The feet had started to move well, he was getting a good forward stride in, hands were coming through nicely while driving. And just as he gets to a start, he falls for 26 to Anshul Kamboj, who is fast becoming a war horse who can run in tirelessly. Rewarded for his persistence. When he reflects on his dismissal, though, there would be realisation that there's no harm in being nicked out by a pearl like that from Kamboj. Rahul had to play at that, but the minute deviation off the pitch did the trick.

Looks like. Railways 87/5 after being put in to bat at Kotla.

Two wickets apiece for Money Grewal and Siddhant Sharma. A massive reception for Kohli, who has been helping young Ayush Badoni with field setting and bowling changes.

Delhi have only an outside chance of making the knockouts, and that'll need them to win with a bonus point. Which means they need a big first innings effort with the bat.

Vishal Dikshit from BKC: While Rohit trains with the white ball in the adjacent nets, Mumbai have taken the first step towards a bonus point win by bowling out Meghalaya for 86 in the first session.

After the early hat-trick from Shardul Thakur had reduced the visitors to 2 for 6, Meghalaya staged a mini comeback to get close to 100 but were wrapped up with three wickets for Mohit Avasthi and two for Sylvester Dsouza to make it nine for the pace bowlers. Thakur ends with 4 for 43 while the light roller comes out just before lunch break.

In response, Mumbai have lost an early wicket of Ayush Mhatre

Rahul survives a close chance at slip as he looks to run one down to third man on 9. Ankit Sharma, the Haryana captain, dived low at slip to take the catch but replays confirm the ball just bounced in front of him before he took the catch. At the other end, Mayank Agarwal has overcome some early jitters to move to 46. Karnataka 77/1 with 10 minutes to go for lunch.

Even as Mumbai run through Meghalaya's batting order, there's another Mumbaikar hard at work somewhere behind at the nets area

Haryana finally have a breakthrough after 20 overs, with Anshul Kamboj sneaking through KV Aneesh's defence. As the wicket falls, the noise levels at the Chinnaswamy goes up a notch as KL Rahul walks in at No. 3. And he's also off the mark with a tight single. Karnataka 48/1 currently.

Couldn't help but bait you guys at the first available chance.

It's Jharkhand's Virat Singh who is gone for 40 as their top order has wobbled properly against Tamil Nadu. They're 87 for 4, with M Mohammed and S Ajith Ram, the left-arm spinner, taking two wickets apiece.

A drawn game here will be enough for TN to qualify.

In a game they simply have to win, ideally with a bonus point, Saurashtra's openers have made an excellent start in Rajkot against Assam. They've raced to 90/0 with Chirag Jani two short of an aggressive half-century.

Kerala, who will be looking for an outright win that will take them to the knockouts, have stuttered in Trivandrum; they're 47 for 3 against Bihar.

Chandigarh are batting themselves out of contention. They surged to three straight wins in the first half, but have since suffered two back to back defeats. Now, needing nothing less than a bonus-point win, they've stumbled to 57 for 6 v Chhattisgarh.

Meghalaya have avoided the ignominy of being bowled out for the lowest team total in Ranji history. From 2 for 6, they're now 24 for 6 against Mumbai at the Sharad Pawar Academy (BKC).

DDCA was expecting 10,000 fans but have now seen that number spiral to 15k. Students, IT professionals, parents with kids, old-timers - they're all there to see Kohli in action.

Owing to the mad frenzy, DDCA have now opened the Bishan Singh Bedi stand too, after initially throwing open only the Gautam Gambhir stand. The usual chants of 'Kohli! Kohli!' and 'RCB! RCB!'can. be heard whenever Kohli is waving towards the crowd.

He has also been helping Delhi captain Ayush Badoni with field setting. Railways are 21/3.

Runs hard to come by for Karnataka, but they know there’s no option but to bat big. They’re 13/0 in nine overs. Mayank Agarwal survived a very close lbw shout off the very first ball he faced in the innings when Ajit Chahal got one to nip back in off a length to strike him on the front pad. It looked as if Haryana didn’t review because they thought there was an inside edge when there was none. Since then, Mayank is batting well outside the crease and is looking to take a big forward stride to try and take swing out of the equation.

"Greetings from a hazy Mumbai," says Vishal Dikshit. "Hosts are in a must win against Meghalaya. Looking for six points, if not seven, Mumbai have opted to bowl and within 20 minutes, they are all over Meghalaya thanks to a hat-trick from Shardul Thakur.

"He bags a trio of Meghalaya’s middle order in his second over by targeting the stumps and having one batter caught. Running in from around the wicket to left-hand batter B Anirudh in his second over, Thakur first hit the top of the stumps by beating the outside edge. Next he drew an edge from No. 5 Sumit Kumar to have him caught by Shams Mulani, and on the last ball of the third over Thakur again beat a left-hand batter – Jaskirat Sachdeva – to leave the visitors reeling at just 2 for 6!”

Mumbai have made as many as six changes to the XI! A few of them forced, of course. Rohit, Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer and Shivam Dube have all gone for or getting ready for national duty. The other two missing out are wicketkeeper Hardik Tamore and Karsh Kothari, and the players coming in are Ayush Mhatre, Siddhesh Lad, Suryansh Shedge, Akash Anand, Amogh Bhatkal and Sylvester Dsouza.

The last time KL Rahul played for Karnataka, this happened.

As he returns now, Rahul has been slotted to bat at No. 3, with Mayank Agarwal and KV Aneesh opening the batting. Devdutt Padikkal drops down to No. 4. Karnataka have lost the toss and have been put in to bat on a surface that doesn't have the usual tinge of green we're used to seeing at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Karnataka need a win with a bonus point to qualify. Now that they're batting first, their only way to achieve that is by batting big in the first innings and then bowling out Haryana twice to win by an innings. Tough, tough task against the table toppers

Over in Kolkata, where Bengal have struck early against Punjab, Wriddhiman Saha is playing in his final game of professional cricket. He'd decided to retire prior to the season, but was pushed by Sourav Ganguly and his wife, Romi, to finish off with Bengal and at his beloved Eden Gardens.

If you missed it earlier, this is as good a time as any to read Sidharth Monga's lovely tribute to one of Indian cricket's unsung heroes. He traced Saha's roots from Siliguri and spoke to several people who've played a key role in his cricketing journey.