Ranji Trophy 2024-25 Qualification Scenarios: How can Mumbai, Karnataka qualify for quarterfinals?

Ranji Trophy 2024-25 Qualification Scenarios: How can Mumbai, Karnataka qualify for quarterfinals?

The Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season heads into the final round of the group stage, with major teams Mumbai and Karnataka yet to secure a place in the last-eight stage.

The Ajinkya Rahane-led Mumbai suffered a setback after losing to Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) in the sixth round, denting its chances of reaching the knockouts. Meanwhile, despite Karnataka earning a bonus-point win, it is still not guaranteed a spot in the quarterfinals.

So far, only Vidarbha has confirmed its place in the quarterfinals. The top two teams from each group will qualify.

Sportstar breaks down what teams need to do across the four groups to make the quarterfinals.

Only three teams are in contention for the quarterfinals in this group — J&K (29 points), Baroda (24 points), and Mumbai (22 points).

J&K faces Baroda in the final round, and the winner will advance. For J&K, even a single point will suffice to progress. However, for Baroda, a draw might not be enough. Even if Baroda takes three points via a first-innings lead, it could still get knocked out if Mumbai wins (with or without a bonus point).

Mumbai faces Meghalaya and must win to qualify. However, if Baroda beats J&K, Mumbai will need a bonus-point victory and hope its quotient surpasses J&K’s, allowing Baroda and Mumbai to advance.

Vidarbha secured a remarkable comeback win against Rajasthan in the sixth round, confirming its place in the knockouts on Sunday.

Only Gujarat (26 points) and Himachal Pradesh (21 points) remain in contention to join Vidarbha in the last eight, with both teams set to face each other. The winner will advance to the next phase.

Haryana leads Group C with 26 points, followed by Kerala at 21 points and Karnataka at 19 points. Haryana and Karnataka play each other in the final round, while Kerala faces Bihar.

Haryana needs just one point to secure a place in the quarterfinals. However, if Haryana loses, it must hope Kerala does not secure more than three points against Bihar.

For Kerala, a draw with a first-innings lead will be sufficient, provided Karnataka does not win its match against Haryana.

Karnataka, meanwhile, must win and hope Kerala only draws against Bihar.

Tamil Nadu tops the group with 25 points and needs a win or a draw to advance, regardless of other results.

Chandigarh (19), Saurashtra (18), and Railways (17) occupy the second, third, and fourth spots, respectively. If Chandigarh wins its final match against Chhattisgarh with a bonus point, Saurashtra and Railways will be eliminated.

However, if Chandigarh wins and secures six points, and Saurashtra defeats Assam with a bonus point, the team with the better quotient will advance.

For Railways to progress, it must beat Delhi and hope Chandigarh and Saurashtra fail to win.

Jharkhand and Delhi are mathematically still in the hunt. With 14 points each, they can qualify if all the teams above them lose.