Mumbai and the Ranji Trophy - talk about a set of coincidences...

The Ranji Trophy

So, after a pretty horrible season, and a dramatic win over Baroda in the penultimate round of fixtures, it all came down to the last round. In group A, with three to qualify for the quarter-finals, Karnataka were through, whilst Baroda and Tamil Nadu, in second and third, played each other, the winner guaranteed a place and the loser, possibly.

With the intriguing points system - six points for a win, a bonus point for a win by an innings or ten wickets, three points for a draw with a first innings lead and a point for a draw otherwise, it was possible for any two of six teams to qualify.

Elsewhere, Railways needed to beat bottom of the table Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh needed to beat Bengal to stand a chance, whilst Mumbai took on probably the best state side in the country on form, Karnataka, probably needing a win to be certain.

Despite a good showing on day 1, Mumbai looked to at best have gained three points, which meant that, as the fourth day dawned, Mumbai needed the following;

• Baroda to lose to Tamil Nadu
• Railways to fail to beat Uttar Pradesh, and
• Madhya Pradesh to fail to beat Bengal

The first looked likely, the second was completely open, and Bengal were following on against Madhya Pradesh. And, would you believe it, Tamil Nadu strolled to victory, whilst Uttar Pradesh comfortably made their target to beat Railways. It wasn't looking good for Bengal though as, needing 295 to avoid an innings defeat, they were 212-7 just after lunch. Surely, a struggling team like Bengal weren't going to resist for nearly two sessions?

But, the gap closed slowly but surely, and Madhya Pradesh couldn't make the breakthrough. Mumbai and Karnataka had shaken hands on the inevitable draw, and the Bengal eighth-wicket partnership ground on through nearly fifty-four overs, until the deficit was made up and a draw agreed.

There can't be much doubt that Mumbai have been rather more fortunate than their form deserves, and a quarter-final against Delhi will probably turn out to be the end of their season. But, all credit, they took the chance offered to them, and who knows, they've got nothing to lose now...