Ranji Trophy: How Kerala is putting pressure on both Karnataka and Haryana

NEW DELHI: In their final league game of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C, which starts in Bengaluru on Thursday, Karnataka, who are locked in a three-way battle for a quarterfinal ticket, will rely on KL Rahul's experience to try to defeat table-toppers Haryana by extra points.
Kerala, with 21 points, is putting pressure on both Karnataka and Haryana, who now have 19 and 26 points, respectively.
The former champions' total would increase to 26 points if they win by seven extra points at M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Depending on Kerala's performance against Bihar in Thumba, Thiruvananthapuram, the host team might either finish first in the group or second in the round of eight.
Kerala will go up to 27 points and become the leaders of Group C with a victory, even without a bonus point.
In that case, Karnataka will have more bonus point wins (2) than Haryana (1), eliminating Haryana, who will remain on 26 points.
This season, bonus point wins are used to determine the group winners rather than head-to-head record or net run rate, as has been the case in past seasons.
Karnataka would need to hope that Kerala only get a draw against Bihar, who will then have a maximum of 24 points, if they garner six points, then they will have 25 points.
The eight-time winners would have 22 points if the Bengaluru match concludes in a draw and Karnataka takes a three-point lead in the first innings. Kerala will then need to lose against Bihar in order to move on to the quarterfinals.
A draw is sufficient for Kerala and Haryana to serve their purpose.
This is Rahul's first Ranji match since 2020, and the timing couldn't be more perfect.
The veteran batter will start against Haryana at number three, according to Karnataka coach Yere Goud.
"He brings a lot of experience and also adds a lot of value to the side in all aspects of the game. We will see who (Rahul will replace in the eleven)…depending on the conditions and who suits where.
"But Rahul might be batting at number 3," Goud told reporters here.
According to Goud, pacer Vidwath Kaverappa would start against Haryana after making a full recovery from a shin ailment.
Even with the return of two top players, Goud was conscious of the difficult task that lay ahead.
"If you start with thinking of 7 points, then it's always a difficult task. We try to play as well as we can in all three departments, like we did in the last game.
"We will try to continue to do that. So, we will try to maximise and whoever gets in has to make it big and show a lot of discipline in the bowling department as well," he added.