Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Statistical preview of semi-final clashes
What's the story
The semi-finals of the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season will begin on February 17.
The four teams that have reached this stage are Gujarat, Kerala, Vidarbha, and Mumbai.
The quarter-finals ended on Wednesday with Kerala entering the semis by defeating Jammu and Kashmir on first-innings lead at the MCA Cricket Stadium in Pune.
Here we look at the statistical preview of the semi-final games.
Match-up
Gujarat and Kerala to clash in Ahmedabad
The semi-final fixtures will see Kerala take on Gujarat in Ahmedabad, while Mumbai will face Vidarbha in Nagpur.
This is a huge achievement for Gujarat, who have reached the semi-finals for the first time since the 2019-20 season.
They booked their spot by defeating Saurashtra by an innings and 98 runs.
While three wins and four draws, Kerala finished second in Group C.
As mentioned, they pipped Jammu & Kashmir in the quarter-finals.
Information
Here is how Gujarat have fared
Gujarat finished second in Group B with four wins and three draws. They recorded an innings win over Saurashtra in the quarter-finals and made a place in the semis.
Semi-final clash
Mumbai and Vidarbha gear up for Nagpur showdown
In the other semi-final match, Mumbai will take on Vidarbha in Nagpur.
The 42-time Ranji Trophy champions made it to the semis after defeating Haryana by 132 runs at Eden Gardens.
Shardul Thakur's brilliant performance, who took nine wickets in the match, played a major role in the victory.
Mumbai had earlier finished second in Group A with four wins and two losses (Draw: 1).
Home advantage
Vidarbha's impressive season secures home advantage
Vidarbha has been the most successful team this season with six wins and a draw. They hence had topped Group B.
Their impressive performance helped them go past Tamil Nadu and secure their place in the semi-finals.
With the knock-out match taking place in Nagpur, Vidarbha will have the home advantage against Mumbai.
Stats
Key players for Gujarat and Kerala
As per ESPNcricinfo, Jaymeet Patel (582 runs at 48.50) and Manan Hingrajia (570 runs at 47.50) are Gujarat's leading run-scorers this season.
With 35 wickets at 23.40, Siddharth Desai is their leading wicket-taker. Arzan Nagwaswalla (20 scalps at 33.55) follows him.
Salman Nizar (555 at 92.50) is the only Kerala batter with 500-plus runs in the competition.
Jalaj Saxena (34 at 16.82) leads the wicket tally for the team. His teammate Aditya Sarwate has managed 26 wickets at 15.92.
Stats
Key players for Mumbai and Vidarbha
Siddhesh Lad is Mumbai's leading run-getter of the season with 565 runs at 70.62. Team India regular Yashasvi Jaiswal will also turn up for the team.
Shams Mulani (36 at 24.66) and Shardul Thakur (33 at 19.96) have been their best bowlers.
Vidarbha's Yash Rathod is the fourth-leading run-getter in the tourney, having managed 728 runs at 52.
Rathod's teammate Harsh Dubey is the most-successful bowler of the season. He has scalped 59 wickets at 15.06.