Ranji Trophy 2016-17: Gujarat and Mumbai's road to final

Gujarat will face Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy 2016-17 final in Indore which starts from Tuesday. It will be Gujarat’s second chance to claim its first Ranji title.

Interestingly, it was in 1950-51 that Gujarat made it to its first Ranji final where it was defeated by Holkar at the Yeshwant Club Ground in Indore. Almost 66 years later, Gujarat returns to the same venue, which has changeda a lot and has been renamed Holkar Cricket Stadium, to battle it out against the most successful side in the history of Ranji Trophy — Mumbai.

Gujarat and Mumbai have played against each other in the group stage of this season. Gujarat gained three points in the match by virtue of its first innings lead.

The journey has not been easy for Gujarat. It finished second in Group A behind Mumbai. Here’s looking at Gujarat’s journey to the final:

First match – Oct 6 to 9, 2016

Baroda vs Gujarat in Jaipur

Result: Draw; first innings lead

Second match – Oct 20-23, 2016

Gujarat v Railways in Rohtak

Result: Won by 294 runs

Third match – Oct 27-30, 2016

Gujarat v Uttar Pradesh in Delhi

Result: Won by 132 runs

Fourth match – Nov 5-8, 2016

Bengal v Gujarat in Delhi

Result: Match abandoned without a ball being bowled

Fifth match – Nov 13-16, 2016

Gujarat v Madhya Pradesh in Nagothane

Result: Draw; first innings lead

Sixth match – Nov 21-24, 2016

Gujarat v Mumbai in Hubballi

Result: Draw; first innings lead

Seventh match – Nov 29-Dec 2, 2016

Gujarat v Punjab in Belgavi

Result: Draw; first innings lead

Eighth match – Dec 7-10, 2016

Gujarat v Tamil Nadu in Belgavi

Result: TN took first innings lead

Quarterfinal – Dec 23-27, 2016

Gujarat v Odisha in Jaipur

Result: Won by first innings lead

Semifinal – Jan 1-4, 2017

Gujarat v Jharkhand in Nagpur

Result: Won by 123 runs

Mumbai's road to final

The defending champion, Mumbai, has won the title 41 out of the 45 times it has reached the final. This year, a young side, led by Aditya Tare, will look to defend the title in a tournament in which it has always been a favourite.

Mumbai topped Group A. Here’s looking at Mumbai's journey to the final:

First match – Oct 6 to 8, 2016

Mumbai vs Tamil Nadu in Rohtak

Result: Won by two wickets

Second match – Oct 13-16, 2016

Baroda v Mumbai in Delhi

Result: Draw; first innings lead

Third match – Oct 20-23, 2016

Madhya Pradesh v Mumbai in Raipur

Result: Draw; first innings lead

Fourth match – Nov 5-8, 2016

Mumbai v Railways in Mysore

Result: Won by 10 wickets

Fifth match – Nov 13-16, 2016

Mumbai v uttar Pradesh in Mysore

Result: Won by 121 runs

Sixth match – Nov 21-24, 2016

Gujarat v Mumbai in Hubballi

Result: Gujarat took first innings lead

Seventh match – Nov 29-Dec 2, 2016

Bengal v Mumbai in Nagpur

Result: Draw; first innings lead

Eighth match – Dec 7-10, 2016

Mumbai v Punjab in Rajkot

Result: Punjab took first innings lead

Quarterfinal – Dec 23-27, 2016

Hyderabad v Mumbai in Raipur

Result: Won by 30 runs

Semifinal – Jan 1-4, 2017

Mumbai v Tamil Nadu in Rajkot

Result: Won by six wickets