Karnataka took control of their Ranji Trophy quarter-final against Mumbai by taking a commanding 222-run lead over the 41-time champions on day two of the five-day game at the Vidharbha Cricket Association stadium in Jamtha.
Mumbai's bid to clinch their 41st Ranji Trophy crown, and the first after two seasons, got a significant boost with the availability of fit-again pacer Dhawal Kulkarni for the final against Saurashtra in Pune. Kulkarni missed the semi-final against Madhya Pradesh at Cuttack, after picking up an injury during their quarter-final victory over Jharkhand at Mysuru. Other than his inclusion, the Mumbai selectors have retained the squad that secured their place for their 45th title clash in Cuttack. Significantly, when Mumbai clinched their 40th crown, Saurashtra were their opponents in the 2012-13 season. The five-day final will begin on February 24.
Maharashtra defeated Madhya Pradesh by 40 runs on day 5 of the final.
'He devoted his entire life for the betterment of Mumbai cricket and cricketers.' 'Even when he left for the Elysian Fields, he was in harness as mentor/advisor to the MCA.' Hemant Kenkre mourns the passing of Mumbai cricket icon Milind Rege.
Ajinkya Rahane and Prithvi Shaw faltered yet again as Karnataka pacers wreaked a havoc and bundled out Mumbai for a paltry 194 on the opening day of their Elite Ranji Trophy match in Mumbai. Services bowled out Maharashtra for 44 with medium pacer P S Poonia picking up 5/11 in their Ranji Trophy match in New Delhi
The third day's play in the Ranji Trophy semi-final between Mumbai and Services was called off without a ball being bowled due to heavy rain, which damaged one of the two sightscreens. After Thursday night's hailstorm, the steady downpour till Friday afternoon virtually made it impossible for proceedings to start.
India's pace spearhead Zaheer Khan has been included in the Mumbai squad for the Ranji Trophy game against Orissa starting November 29 which also be his fitness test ahead of India's tour Down Under.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India's Technical Committee is not in favour of hosting Ranji Trophy games at neutral venues and wants the existing 'home and away' format to continue for the next season.
Defending champions Karnataka will take on Assam while Delhi meet Mumbai in the quarter-finals of the Ranji Trophy, starting February 16. In the other quarter-finals, Vidarbha have been drawn against Tamil Nadu while Andhra Pradesh will clash with Maharashtra.
Opener Shubham Rohilla struck his fourth first-class hundred to take Services to 279 for 4 against defending champions Saurashtra
Roundup of Ranji Trophy matched played on Sunday
A summary of Tuesday's action in the Ranji Trophy.
Former champions Mumbai claimed three points against Baroda after their four-day Elite Group A Ranji Trophy game ended in a draw at the Wankhede Stadium.
Having recovered completely from an injury following a car accident, Mumbai's Musheer Khan is determined to make an impact in his maiden IPL season.
Venkatesh Prasad to contest for KSCA president's post, Kumble, Srinath back ex-India pacer's panel
India discard Murali Vijay registered his first century of the season as Tamil Nadu took a huge first innings lead over Mumbai, and then more than doubled it by stumps on Day 3 of the four-day Ranji Trophy semi-final at the Wankhede stadium, in Mumbai, on Thursday.
India's batting is a major concern with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli struggling for runs ahead of the tour of Australia.
Shah reiterated the Board's position that Indian players will have to prioritise domestic cricket.
Yash Dhull was on Monday removed as Delhi captain, hours after the team suffered a heavy defeat against Puducherry in their Ranji Trophy opening match.
'I am excited to join CSK again.'
After an impressive comeback on India's tour of South Africa, pacer Zaheer Khan is hoping to inspire Mumbai in the crucial Ranji Trophy quarter-final against Maharashtra, starting Wednesday.
Rohit Sharma's poor form in red-ball cricket continued as he fell for a 19-ball 3 before Mumbai conceded a first-innings lead against Jammu and Kashmir
IMAGES from Day 2 of the Ranji Trophy final played between Mumbai and Madhya Pradesh at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Thursday.
A round-up of Day 1 of the Ranji Trophy matches played on Thursday.
The captains and coaches also deliberated over the relevance of Duleep Trophy and the Irani Trophy.
A round-up of the first day's play in the Ranji Trophy matches across the country, on Tuesday.
Mumbai picked up four wickets after a third-wicket stand of 110 to keep Tamil Nadu to 261 for six on Day one of their Ranji Trophy semi-final, in Rajkot, on Sunday
Rizvi will be representing Delhi Capitals this season.
The Chandrakant Pandit-coached side lost opener Yash Dubey (9) cheaply after he was trapped in front of the wickets by pacer Mukesh Kumar (2/45).
Young batsman Armaan Jaffer, who recently slammed a triple hundred for Mumbai Under-23 against Saurashtra, was named in Mumbai's Ranji Trophy squad for their upcoming game against Gujarat.
Also the temperament of playing 373 balls (62.1 overs out of 116 overs) has made him stand out along with how he forged partnership with a tailender (Navdeep Saini).
IMAGES from the Ranji Trophy final between Mumbai and Madhya Pradesh on Day 1 at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
There are seven items on the agenda and right at the top of the list is domestic cricket, which also includes junior and women's categories.
With the Wankhede stadium, Mumbai's original home ground for Ranji Trophy matches being the upgraded for the upcoming World Cup and the alternative vene at the CCI (Brabourne Stadium) being overlooked owing to administrative differences between the parties concerned, the defending champions have no option but to play their home games at the MCA facility at the Bandra-Kurla Complex. To make matters worse, the wicket at the said facility is a flat one.
The retiring Dhawal Kulkarni said he would be available to take up any role which keeps him associated with the sport.
A summary of Tuesday's play in the Ranji Trophy matches at various venues across the country.
Domestic giants Mumbai on Thursday broke the world record for highest margin of victory in the history of first-class cricket as they crushed minnows Uttarakhand by a staggering 725 runs on the fourth day of their Ranji Trophy quarter-final.
A summary of Thursday's action in the Ranji Trophy group stage matches.
Musheer Khan, younger brother of Sarfaraz Khan (9), saved his side from a total collapse with an innings of rare maturity that belied his 19 tender years.
Arjun, representing Goa, smashed a century off 177 balls on Day 2 of his team's Ranji Trophy tie against Rajasthan in Porvorim.
