27 December,2010 09:14 AM IST | | A Correspondent
If Rajasthan beats Mumbai today, it will become the first team from Plate Division to reach the Ranji Trophy semi-finals since this format was introduced in 2008-09.
According to the new regulations, the top two teams from Plate Division join the top three teams from Elite A and Elite B groups in the knockout (Quarter final) stage.
Rajasthan, who finished at the bottom in the Plate Group last season, out-batted defending champions Mumbai to reach 484 for seven and stretch their first innings lead to 232 on the third day of the Ranji Trophy quarter-finals at Sawai Man Singh Stadium yesterday.
The hosts' lead of 232 will make it near impossible for Mumbai to go for an outright win. The match is now likely to end in a draw and in that case, Rajasthan, with their first innings lead, will qualify for the semi-finals. Mumbai were all out for 252 in their first innings.
Meanwhile, skipper Hrishikesh Kanitkar who was on 96 at the close of play Saturday, brought up his third century of the season and along with second day's centurion Vineet Saxena took their overnight partnership for the second wicket to 240.
