Ranji Trophy: MP takes on J&K in an intriguing battle for a semifinal berth

MP takes on J&K in an intriguing battle for a semifinal berth

Can Madhya Pradesh extend its winning run, or will Jammu and Kashmir break new ground? The answer will unfold in what should be a cracking Ranji Trophy quarterfinal at the Holkar Stadium here on Friday.

MP is on a roll, having stormed into the knockout rounds after two group stage victories. A 217-run dismantling of Karnataka in Bengaluru came first, followed by a 133-run win over Maharashtra to finish as the Elite ‘B’ topper.

MP, the 2021-22 Ranji Trophy champion, has all the essential First Class ingredients. The top-order of Yash Dubey, Himanshu Mantri and Shubham Sharma can grind all day, while captain Rajat Patidar and Venkatesh Iyer provide flair in the middle-order.

Saransh Jain has been prolific with bat and ball. In Saransh and Kumar Kartikeya, MP boasts of a potent spin attack.

And then there is charismatic coach Chandrakant Pandit, whose tactical nous keeps MP one step ahead.

J&K, meanwhile, will be fired up to make history. This is the State’s fourth appearance in the last-eight stage of the tournament, but a semifinal berth has been elusive thus far.