Ranji Trophy: Maharashtra crush Baroda by 439 runs to keep Mumbai's KO chances alive

Seamers Mukesh Choudhary and Rajneesh Gurbani put on a stunning display as Maharashtra crushed Baroda by a massive 439 runs in their Group A Ranji Trophy match on Sunday. The result has kept the defending champions, Mumbai, in contention for the knock-out stage.

Baroda's primary goal on the final day was to save the game and secure a point, as chasing the target of 617 was virtually impossible. However, they failed to do so and were bundled out for a mere 177 in 36 overs.

Former CSK left-arm seamer Choudhary claimed 5 wickets for 76 runs, while Gurbani, who recently switched from Vidarbha to Maharashtra, picked up 3 for 54.

Jammu and Kashmir currently lead Group A with 29 points from six games, followed by Baroda with 27 points from the same number of matches. Mumbai, despite their defeat to J&K on Saturday, remain on 22 points from six games.

Ruturaj Gaikwad's Maharashtra has given the 42-time champions a lifeline, as Baroda will now need to secure at least a first innings lead against Jammu and Kashmir in their final game to qualify for the knock-out stages.

If Baroda manages to get three points, both Baroda and Jammu and Kashmir will qualify with 30 points each, leaving Mumbai out of the competition in the group league stage itself.

Mumbai, who will play against the wooden spooners Meghalaya in their last match at BKC, are expected to win comfortably and add another seven points to their tally, taking it to 29 from seven games.

However, for Mumbai to qualify, they will need Jammu and Kashmir to at least take a first innings lead, if not win outright, which would take J&K's tally to 32, leaving Baroda stuck at 28.

In the event that Jammu and Kashmir lose and remain on 29 points, and Mumbai win with bonus points, the net run rate (NRR) will be the deciding factor.

The other five teams in the group - Tripura, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Services, and Odisha - have no chance of qualification.