Ranji: MP aim to seize home advantage today against group leader Maharashtra

Madhya Pradesh will face table-toppers Maharashtra from Thursday at Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore in a Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match, with both teams chasing quarter-finals qualification in the 2025-26 season.Maharashtra lead the group with 24 points from six matches, having registered three wins and three draws. Madhya Pradesh are close behind on 22 points, boosted by a 217-run victory over Karnataka in their previous outing. A win for Maharashtra would strengthen their grip on the top spot, while MP will look to use home conditions to improve their standing and stay in contention for a semi-final berth. The Holkar Stadium surface is expected to assist seamers early, with movement on offer in the first session, before gradually becoming more conducive to spin as the match progresses. Weather is forecast to remain clear in Indore, reducing the likelihood of interruptions and placing greater emphasis on sustained bowling pressure and batting depth.MP, captained by Rajat Patidar, come in with confidence after posting 323 in the first innings and declaring at 229/8 in the second against Karnataka. Their spin attack played a decisive role, with Saransh Jain returning figures of 4/42 and Sagar Solanki taking 3/20. Allrounders Venkatesh Iyer and Shubham Sharma also made important contributions with the bat, underlining MP's balance and depth. Maharashtra, led by Ankit Bawne, arrive after an eight-wicket win over Goa. They made 350 and then chased down 109 with ease. Opener Prithvi Shaw and offspinner Jalaj Saxena remain central to their plans, though Maharashtra's consistency will be tested against MP's varied attack and stronger overall depth.