Live Cricket Score - Ranji Trophy 2017-18, Quarterfinals, Day 5

That is it from us folks. So Karnataka will lock horns versus Vidarbha while Delhi will meet Bengal in the semifinals. Can Karnataka continue to steamroll opponents and surge towards their ninth Ranji title? Or will other teams spring a surprise? Catch all the action from the semifinals. Until next time, goodbye!

Vidarbha crush Kerala; reach last four

Aditya Sarwate, the left-arm spinner, snared a six-wicket haul in the second innings to secure Vidarbha a thumping 412-run win over Kerala in Surat. With this crushing victory, Vidarbha reached the last four of the Ranji Trophy for the first time.

Kerala, who were set an improbable target of 578, were cleaned up for just 165. At 137 for 3, with Salman Nizar at the crease, the match seemed to be heading to a stalemate. But, Sarwate sparked a collapse, which saw the South Zone side lose five wickets for six runs to dip to 143 for 8. Sarwate also bagged the last two wickets to fall to seal the match in Vidarbha's favour. Earlier, Rajneesh Gurbani's five-wicket haul had given Vidarbha the crucial first innings lead of 70. The West Zone side then accrued a sizeable 507 for nine declared in their second dig.

Vidarbha and Karnataka will contest the second semifinal of the tournament.

Stalemate at Jaipur; Bengal progress to last four

The match between Bengal and Gujarat ended in a stalemate, with the former accruing 695 for 6, a mammoth lead of 825 before bad light resulted in the final session being called off. As the East Zone side took the first innings lead of 130 runs, they progressed to the last four of this season's Ranji Trophy. Writtick Chatterjee (216), Anustup Majumdar (132) and Abhimanyu Easwaran (114) all made significant contributions in the second innings.

Even at the start of the final day, it was more or less a foregone conclusion that Bengal would progress to the last four as they were already in front by 720. Chatterjee, who resumed on 213, could add only three more runs before he was dislodged by Chintan Gaja. Majumdar, however, piled on the agony on Gujarat's bowlers by collecting runs at will. Gujarat used as many as eight bowlers to dismiss the 25-year-old but to no avail. Eventually, bad light stopped play for the second time in the day and soon the stumps were drawn.

Bengal will now lock horns against Delhi in the semifinals.

Bengal vs Gujarat; Kerala vs Vidarbha

Bengal's innings resumed after bad light had stopped play for a while. Majumdar continued on his merry way to notch up a hundred and Bengal now lead by 825. Gujarat have used eight bowlers so far. Bad, though, again stopped play.

Meanwhile, Kerala are sliding to a defeat against Vidarbha. At 137 for 3, with Nizar (64) at the crease, the mach seemed to be heading to a draw. However, that was followed by a major collapse as Kerala lost five wickets for just six runs to find themselves at 144 for 8! Sarwate bagged a four-fer.

After Vidarbha took the innings lead and set Kerala 578, Vidarbha's passage to last four was a foregone conclusion.

Aayush from Jaipur chips in by saying the match between Bengal and Gujarat has been stopped due to bad light. The Gujarat fielders won't mind as they have been chasing leather for a while with Bengal's second innings score reading 633 for 6!

Incidentally, this turns out to be Bengal'shighest totalin the second innings.

Delhi enter semifinals!

Gautam Gambhir's 129-ball 95 piloted Delhi to a seven-wicket win over Madhya Pradesh in Vijaywada as they reached the semifinals of the Ranji Trophy 2017-18. The seven-time Ranji champions hunted down the target of 217 in a mere 51.4 overs. It was an innings of class and quality from Gambhir and showed the value of his experience under pressure.

Delhi lost Vikas Tokas (6) early on in the day. Gambhir and Kunal Chandela (57), however, calmed down the nerves in the camp with a stand of 98 for the second wicket. Chandela was eventually dislodged by Mihir Hirwani, the legspinner. Dhruv Shorey (46) then joined forces with Gambhir to stricth another crucial stand of 95 as Delhi inched closer to win. Gambhir, however, missed out on compiling his 42nd first-class hundred as he was run-out. Nitish Rana and Shorey guided them home.

Delhi now will meet Bengal or Gujarat in the first semifinal of this year's Ranji Trophy.

Delhi vs MP - Break

Delhi are surging their way to the last four as at the break, the North Zone side was 163 for 2, still needing 54 more runs. Gambhir turned out to be the bedrock of the line-up, remaining undefeated on 69. Chandela compiled a fine hand of 57.

Bengal vs Gujarat - Lunch

Bengal's batsmen continued to pile on the agony on Gujarat's fielders as they propelled the lead to a monstrous 720 at the break. Majumdar is still batting on 76.

Kerala v Vidarbha - Lunch

Kerala have reached 59 for 2 at Lunch on Day 5, chasing 578. Kerala's batsmen will look to play for pride as the match has slipped away from their grasp after giving away the first innings lead. Mohammed Azharuddeen scored 28 before falling on the brink of Lunch break, Nizar is batting on 31. Earlier, Vidarbha had amassed a substantial 507 for 9 declared in their second essay.

Vidarbha declare at 507 for 9

Vidarbha, on the other hand, have declared at 507 for 9, setting the opposition an improbable target of 578. Kerala have slipped to 24 for 1 in their second essay, with Jalaj being the man dismissed.

Bengal extend lead even further