Ranji Trophy 2025-26 Knockout Phase: Complete Schedule and Qualified Teams Announced
The league stage of the prestigious Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season has concluded, setting the stage for an exciting knockout phase. After seven intense rounds across four Elite groups, eight teams have secured their spots in the quarterfinals, while defending champions Vidarbha faced a surprising early exit.
Shocking Exit for Defending Champions Vidarbha
In a dramatic turn of events, defending champions Vidarbha have been knocked out in the group stages despite accumulating an impressive 31 points and securing four outright victories. Their campaign ended in disappointment even after a six-point win over Uttar Pradesh in the final round. The team's defeat to Andhra in the previous round proved costly, as they finished third in their group behind Andhra and Jharkhand, all tied on 31 points. The tie-breaker of fewer bonus-point wins sealed Vidarbha's fate, marking a premature end to their title defense.
Qualified Teams and Group Stage Highlights
The eight teams that have advanced to the quarterfinals are:
- Andhra
- Jharkhand
- Madhya Pradesh
- Saurashtra
- Bengal
- Uttarakhand
- Mumbai
- Jammu & Kashmir
Madhya Pradesh emerged as the top team in Group B, while Karnataka secured a last-minute entry with a stunning victory over Punjab, edging out Saurashtra for the second spot. Karnataka's remarkable chase, led by Devdutt Padikkal's unbeaten 120, saw them gun down a 250-run target in just 28 overs on the final day.
Bengal dominated Group C with a massive 36 points, with Uttarakhand qualifying behind them. Record Ranji Trophy winners Mumbai and Jammu & Kashmir advanced from the final Elite Group. Meanwhile, Nagaland's harrowing campaign ended with only one point, resulting in relegation back to the Plate group, while Bihar earned promotion after winning the lower-tier title this season.
Ranji Trophy 2025-26 Knockout Schedule
The knockout phase promises thrilling cricket action with the following schedule:
Quarterfinals – February 6-10, 2026
- Quarterfinal 1: Jharkhand (31 points) vs Uttarakhand (29 points)
- Quarterfinal 2: Madhya Pradesh (28 points) vs Jammu & Kashmir (24 points)
- Quarterfinal 3: Bengal (36 points) vs Andhra (31 points)
- Quarterfinal 4: Mumbai (33 points) vs Karnataka (27 points)
Semifinals – February 15-19, 2026
- Semifinal 1: Winner of Quarterfinal 1 vs Winner of Quarterfinal 4; Venue: To be determined
- Semifinal 2: Winner of Quarterfinal 2 vs Winner of Quarterfinal 3; Venue: To be determined
Ranji Trophy Final – February 24-28, 2026
The grand finale will take place from February 24 to 28, 2026, where the champion of Indian domestic cricket will be crowned. The knockout matches are set to deliver high-stakes cricket as teams vie for the prestigious Ranji Trophy title.
