Ranji Trophy: Mumbai-Haryana quarter-final shifted to Kolkata from Lahli
What's the story
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has shifted the upcoming Ranji Trophy 2024-25 quarter-final match between Mumbai and Haryana from Lahli to Kolkata. The decision was taken due to "unavoidable circumstances," The Indian Express reported. Both the Haryana Cricket Board and the Mumbai Cricket Association were informed about the same through an email from BCCI's game development manager, Abey Kuruvila. Here's more.
New venue
Eden Gardens to host quarterfinal match
The quarterfinal match, which was originally slated to be held in Lahli, will now be played at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) will host and take care of all arrangements for this important game. Although BCCI hasn't given an official reason for the sudden venue change, it is speculated that weather conditions might have contributed to the decision.
Precedent
Recent venue change in Ranji Trophy
Notably, this isn't the first time a venue has been changed in this season's Ranji Trophy over weather concerns. Meanwhile, the quarterfinal match between Jammu and Kashmir and Kerala was also moved out of Srinagar to Pune for similar reasons. Additionally, Maharashtra Cricket Association president Rohit Pawar had expressed confidence in their infrastructure to host the game, ensuring a great playing experience for both teams under these conditions.
Team performance
Mumbai's journey to quarter-finals
The Mumbai team suffered a shocking home defeat against Jammu and Kashmir after the ongoing Ranji Trophy resumed last month. However, they rebounded with a thumping win over Meghalaya that sealed their quarter-final berth. Mumbai finished second in the Elite Group A table with 29 points from 7 matches. And now ahead of the quarters, Mumbai have been boosted by the arrivals of Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube, who joined the side for the quarter-final clash.
Haryana's performance
Haryana's path to quarter-finals
Group C toppers Haryana booked their place in the quarter-finals after a mammoth 284-run win over Bengal once the season resumed post a break. Meanwhile, their last group fixture against Karnataka ended in a draw. Haryana finished with 29 points from 7 matches in Elite Group C. They were a point above 2nd-placed Kerala. The much-awaited quarter-final clash between Mumbai and Haryana will start on February 8 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Information
A look at Mumbai's squad
Mumbai squad: Ajinkya Rahane (captain), Ayush Mhatre, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Amogh Bhatkal, Suryakumar Yadav, Siddhesh Lad, Shivam Dube, Akash Anand (wk), Hardik Tamore (wk), Suryansh Shedge, Shardul Thakur, Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Mohit Avasthi, Sylvester D'Souza, Royston Dias, Atharva Ankolekar, and Harsh Tanna.