New Delhi, Oct 24 (UNI) The Ranji Trophy 2025-26 enters a pivotal phase tomorrow with multiple Elite Group clashes across India, led by seasoned Test performers Mohammed Shami, Ishan Kishan, and Abhimanyu Easwaran, who will be central to their teams’ campaigns.
Shami’s pace and experience will spearhead Bengal’s attack at Eden Gardens, while Ishan aims to anchor Jharkhand’s batting in Nagpur, and Easwaran will look to provide solidity for Bengal’s innings. Their presence adds a layer of Test-level skill and temperament to the domestic competition, making these fixtures particularly intriguing for fans and selectors alike.
In Vizianagaram, Andhra seek their first win after a draw against Uttar Pradesh, with top-order batsmen Shaik Rasheed and Srikar Bharat looking to build on their century performances from the opener.
Pacers KV Sasikanth and Tripurana Vijay will need to exploit early conditions to challenge a confident Baroda side, who come off a seven-wicket victory over Odisha.
Mahesh Pithiya’s six-wicket haul and strong contributions from Shivalik Sharma and Mitesh Patel give Baroda a clear edge, though Andhra’s home advantage and batting depth could make for a competitive contest. Toss-winning teams are expected to bat first to take full advantage of early pitch conditions.
At Eden Gardens, Bengal host Gujarat, with Shami, Easwaran, and Sudip Chatterjee leading the charge. Bengal’s bowling, anchored by Shami, will look to unsettle Gujarat’s top order, while their experienced batsmen aim to post a challenging total.
Gujarat, who drew against Assam in their opener, will rely on Aarya Desai, Siddharth Desai, and Jaymeet Patel for key contributions. The pitch is expected to assist bowlers early before easing for batting, giving Bengal the dual advantage of form and familiarity with home conditions.
Elsewhere, Chandigarh host Maharashtra, Vidarbha meet Jharkhand, Saurashtra take on Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand face Railways, Punjab clash with Kerala, Uttar Pradesh play Odisha, and Tamil Nadu visit Nagaland. Of particular note is Jharkhand’s reliance on Ishan, whose 173 in the opener highlights his potential to dominate at this level.
Across venues, pitches are offering early assistance to seamers and spinners before becoming favorable for batsmen, making first-innings totals crucial. With several teams aiming to recover from opening setbacks and establish momentum, tomorrow’s Ranji Trophy fixtures promise intense competition, standout performances, and decisive battles for points in the Elite Group standings.
