Ranji Takeaways: 13 Teams are Bowled Out on Day 1 as Race for Knockouts Heats Up

The last round of the group stage in the 2018-19 Ranji Trophy got off to an action-packed beginning, with bowlers ruling the roost. The race for the knockouts is heating up, with teams doing all they can to get the better of the opposition. Here are the takeaways from an eventful day's play:

Bowlers' Day Out - Just a Coincidence?

The group stage of the Ranji trophy is coming to its business end. And out come the bowler-friendly pitches. Is it just a coincidence? Remember, the Ranji Trophy is played under neutral curators so it's hard to say.

Coincidence or not, the bowlers had a field day on Monday. As many as 13 teams were bowled out! This includes both teams in a match being bowled out within the day's play.

The worst performance of the lot was by Tripura, who were bowled out for 35 in response to Rajasthan's 218. It included six ducks. Maharashtra were bowled out for just 70 by Railways.

The bigger teams struggled too. Bengal were bowled out for 187 by Punjab, who finished on 47 for 2. Shubman Gill scored 36 of those and remained unbeaten.

Karnataka struggled against Baroda too. They were bowled out for just 112 in their first innings, with only four batsmen scoring double-digits. Baroda were in turn bowled out for 223, but Karnataka lose two wickets in the four overs before stumps, finishing a 22-wicket day.

Mumbai are out of reckoning for a spot in the knockouts, but had a good outing against Chhattisgarh on Monday. Shardul Thakur and Tushar Deshpande picked nine wickets between them to dismiss Chhattisgarh for 129. In reply, they were 118 for 3. Shreyas Iyer is sitting out of the game due to a stiff back.

The Race for Knockout Heats Up

Mumbai, Hyderabad, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Andhra, Maharashtra, Railways and Chhattisgarh are out of the race for the knockouts from Groups A and B combined. The remaining 10 teams still have a chance, and things got interesting on the first day.

Baroda took a positive step with a good show against Karnataka. Vidarbha, on top of the table with 28 points, need to ensure they don't lose to Saurashtra. The other team from Group A, have already played eight games and have 26 points. They'll wait to see results of the other teams to know if they have a chance.

Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bengal, Kerala and Punjab are in the race from Group B. Madhya Pradesh are on top of the table with 24 points but ended the day on 24 for 3 in response to Andhra's 132. Most teams are in a tricky state, and things should get clearer on the second day.

Who is in From the Plate Group?

Uttarakhand are on top with 37 points, and did well to pile on 377 runs against bottom-placed Mizoram. If they win, they will go through as the lone side from the plate group. Bihar, on 34 points, bowled Manipur out for 156 and ended the day on 107 for 5. Pondicherry, who have 32 points, saw their slim chances slip away as Nagaland piled on 387 for 5.

Uttarakhand look the favourites to go through from this group. If they manage only three points and Bihar defeat Manipur, things could get interesting with the net run-rate.

Brief scores:

Nagaland 387/5 vs Pondicherry

Punjab 47/2 vs Bengal 187, trail by 140 runs

Tripura 35 & 4/0 vs Rajasthan 218, trail by 179 runs

Sikkim 132/3 vs Arunachal Pradesh 169, trail by 37 runs

Tamil Nadu 215/3 vs Delhi

Odisha 229/7 vs Goa

Mizoram 8/0 vs Uttarakhand 377, trail by 369 runs

Bihar 107/5 vs Manipur 156, trail by 49 runs

Karnataka 13/2 and 112 vs Baroda 223, trail by 98 runs

Railways 184/9 vs Maharashtra 70, lead by 114 runs

Saurashtra 218/5 vs Vidarbha

Mumbai 118/3 vs Chhattisgarh 129, trail by 11 runs

Himachal 257/7 vs Kerala

Haryana 10/1 vs Services 170, trail by 160 runs

Uttar Pradesh 64/1 vs Assam 175, trails by 111 runs

Madhya Pradesh 24/3 vs Andhra 132, trail by 108 runs