Ranji Trophy: Delhi, Services seek outright win on fresh Palam pitch

Delhi and Services meet at the Palam 'A' ground from Monday in the fourth round of Group C in the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy, with Delhi requiring an outright victory to remain in contention for the knockout stage when the First Class competition resumes in January.

Delhi’s campaign has been mixed: they were beaten by nine wickets by a Bengal side featuring Mohammed Shami, Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar in Kalyani in the first round, posted 648 for six declared against Gujarat in the second round only to be forced into a high-scoring draw after a shirtfront at the Palam 'B' ground curtailed their bowlers, and in the third round their batsmen and bowlers produced a stronger showing against Jharkhand but rain in Ranchi wiped out the final two days leaving both sides with a single point.

Services arrive with a slim return from their opening three matches, having compiled only one point courtesy of a rain-affected draw against Odisha in Bhubaneswar last week, leaving Rajat Paliwal’s side in need of a positive result in Group C.

The match will be played at the Airforce Complex Ground in Palam, and both teams have expressed a preference for a result-oriented surface; organisers may look to a pitch similar to the turner used in the Services-Bengal encounter a fortnight ago to produce a decisive game.

Although Delhi is the designated host for the fixture from Monday, Services plays all its home matches at Palam and therefore has greater familiarity with the local conditions.

“The pitches at Palam were relaid before the season started,” Paliwal said after practice. “The track for our last home game was unexpected. Because the pitches are fresh, sometimes it takes time for them to settle down. It is in that process right now. Compared to the last two games, the pitch looks in a better shape. But it is hard to judge how it will play.”

The fourth-round Group C match at Palam 'A' begins on Monday and its outcome will directly affect Delhi’s chance of reaching the knockout phase when the First Class competition resumes in January.