Mumbai, the defending Ranji Trophy champions, will face Services in Palam on Wednesday, aiming for their third outright victory of the 2024-25 season. With only eight points separating the top five teams in Group A, Mumbai, currently third behind Baroda and Jammu & Kashmir, recognizes the importance of a win before the campaign pauses for white-ball tournaments.
Services, currently fourth in the standings, also has aspirations of challenging for a knockout spot. After defeats to Baroda and Jammu & Kashmir in the second and third rounds, they bounced back with a 35-run victory over Maharashtra last week. “We had lost the previous two games. So to beat Maharashtra was very important. We won a close contest and on their turf. For any team, that is bound to give confidence,” said Services coach Rajesh Tiwari.
Mumbai, led by Ajinkya Rahane, displayed its dominance in the previous round, crushing Odisha by an innings and 103 runs. The victory was built on a 354-run stand between Shreyas Iyer and Siddhesh Lad, the highest fourth-wicket partnership for the 42-time winner. Iyer plundered a 228-ball 233 while Lad contributed 169 off 337 balls.
Iyer’s continued good form, as evidenced by his century against Maharashtra, suggests he is eager to reclaim his place in India’s Test plans. Services captain Rajat Paliwal acknowledges the challenge ahead against Mumbai’s formidable batting lineup. “The wickets in matches here have been taken by medium-pacers as well as spinners. Batters have also scored runs. There will be help for everyone from this surface,” Paliwal said.
