Intriguing line-up in third round

Even as India and South Africa square off in the first Test at Mumbai, six other matches, played in various centres around the country will also attract a fair amount of attention. For the third round games in the Ranji Trophy Super League have some pairings that promise enthralling contests. The intriguing situation in the points table in the three groups adds spice to the flavour.

In group A, Delhi take on Mumbai at Delhi and Bengal play Rajasthan at Calcutta. In group B, Punjab play hosts to Baroda while Bihar meet Railways at Jamshedpur. In group C, Haryana clash with Tamil Nadu at Gurgaon and Saurashtra play Orissa at Rajkot.

Mumbai, which sat out the previous round of matches, had routed champions Karnataka in the opening encounter. They will be missing the services of the players who are on national duty at Mumbai but they are still a formidable side, and their confidence must be high after the events in Bangalore earlier in the month. Delhi have got the same number of points as Mumbai - eight - but from two matches. For all their all round strength, Delhi have not had a very fruitful outing in the Super League so far and they will look towards this match, being played in their own backyard, for a change in their fortunes.

Bengal, after sitting out the opening round, almost got eight points from their first game against Delhi but had to be content with five. But for this home match - in fact all their games are to be played in Calcutta - they will be without Saurav Ganguly. However they should still carry enough guns for Rajasthan who have gathered only three points from two games so far. Karnataka are sitting out this round.

In group B, main attention will be on the match between the two heavyweights Baroda and Punjab. Baroda are well on top in the points table with 13 points from two games. Punjab, which sat out the previous round, have got five points from their one game against Hyderabad. The other match is between the two lightweights Railways and Bihar. Railways got three points against Baroda in the only game they have played so far but Bihar have had a bit of a nightmarish start to the campaign and have got only three points from two matches. Bihar however have the home advantage and another point in their favour is that Railways will be without Murali Kartik, on national duty in Mumbai. Hyderabad are sitting out this round.

Group C has a surprise leader at the points table at the halfway mark - Uttar Pradesh who have so far picked up eleven points from two games. Only a few days ago they scored a morale boosting victory over Orissa. But they will be sitting out this round and keeping a close watch on the two games, particularly the one between Tamil Nadu and Haryana. For Tamil Nadu, which sat out the previous round, would seem to have the best chance of overhauling UP at the top. The southern state got eight points by scoring a comprehensive victory over Saurashtra with a day to spare at Chepauk early in the month. Haryana, which lost to Saurashtra by nine wickets only a few days ago and have only three points from two games can't be too high on confidence but the home venue factor may be an advantage. Tamil Nadu, under Robin Singh's captaincy are a fine all round side and have the skills and expertise to counter this. The other match is relatively low key with Saurashtra having eight points from two matches playing Orissa who lost their opening game last week to Uttar Pradesh.