Despite a disappointing batting performance in the second innings, Services are through to the quarterfinals of the Ranji Trophy as it is highly unlikely that any team in Group C would cross their 26-point barrier.
Services were sitting comfortable at the top of the Group C table, followed by Andhra (21), Assam (20), Kerela (18) and Jharkhand (18) before the start of the ongoing round of matches.
While Andhra are still on course for a berth, with Assam conceding a first innings lead to Goa today, the road to the quarters is clear for Services as it would take more than a miracle to topple them.
Kerela and Jharkhand are not in the equation as even if they win outrightly, they won't be able to cross Services' 26 point barrier.
In the match, Services, who had notched up a 65-run first innings lead over Jharkhand yesterday, posted 152 runs in their second essay today to set Jharkhand 218 to win, with one day to go.
At the draw of stumps, Jharkhand were 35 for no loss with Akash Verma (15) and Rameez Nemat (20) on the crease at the Palam A Ground in Model Sports Complex in New Delhi.
Resuming their second innings at 32 for 2, Services found the going tough and lost wickets at regular intervals but tailender Avishek Sinha came up with a cameo of 47 runs in 60 balls to help his team cross the 150-mark. Sinha hit six fours in his innings.
For Jharkhand, Ajay Yadav (6/43) and Shahbaz Nadeem (4/64) shared the 10 wickets.
Brief Score:
Services: 185 & 152 all out (Avishek Sinha 47; Ajay Yadav 6/43)
Jharkhand: 120 & 35 for no loss in 11 overs (R Nemat 20; S Yadav 0/18).
Goa take first inning lead over Assam
Spinner Shadab Jakati returned a four-wicket haul to spoil Assam chances of making it to the knock-out stage as Goa bowled out the visitors for 366 to take narrow 15-run lead in their Ranji Trophy Group C match in Porvorim on Monday.
At draw of stumps, Goa in their second innings were 11 for no loss with Sagun Kamat and Rohan Balekar unbeaten on 4 and 7 respectively.
Resuming at their overnight score of 134 for one, Assam came close to overhaul Goa's first inning total of 381 but some brilliant bowling by Jakati and two run-outs saw them all out for 366 as the match is heading for a draw with only one day remaining.
Jakati first got the break through when he had AS Sinha leg before for 39.
SA Roy who battled resolutely and shared second wicket partnership of 95 with Sinha looked set to score a century but was caught by Ravikant Shukla off Rahul Asnodkar for 87.
Dhiraj Jadhav took the fight to the rival camp but two run-outs spoiled Assam's chances of taking the lead as wickets fell at regular interval.
Jadhav was out for 52 caught by Bisla off Gawas.
Jakati then dismissed A N Ahmed (18) and A Konwar (0) to end Assam hopes of going into the knock out stage.
While Jakati claimed four wickets, M G Gawas took two and R D Asnodkar claimed one wicket.
Tripura 226/5 against J&K in inconsequential match
Opener Subhrajit Roy hit a fine half-century to guide Tripura to 226 for five in their first innings against Jammu and Kashmir at close on the third day of a rain-hit match in Jammu.
Subhrajit made 86 off 177 deliveries and struck 11 fours during his fine knock.
Veteran Abbas Ali was unbeaten on 50 along with captain Ajay Ratra, who is batting on 35 at stumps on the penultimate day.
Earlier, resuming at the overnight score of 60 for two, Tripura added 166 runs on Monday in 62 overs.
Off-spinner Parvez Rassol returned with best figures of three for 42 for J&K.
The inconsequential match at the Gandhi Memorial Science College Ground here has been severely hit by bad weather as only 23 overs were bowled in the first two days.
The opening day's play completely washed out due to relentless rain.
Brief Scores:
Tripura: 226 for five in 85 overs (Subhrajit Roy 86, Abbas Ali 50; Parvez Rassol 3/42).
