Ranji Trophy 2026-27: Round 4 Begins Today, All Eyes on Mumbai's Perfect Record

Round 4 of the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 begins today, and it is more than just another round of fixtures — it is the close of the first phase of the season. Once this round ends, the tournament will break until January, which means the first chapter of India's domestic first-class season will be sealed and every team will have a chance to take a hard look at where it stands. Six key fixtures are scheduled in this round, involving twelve teams: Mumbai, Railways, Bengal, Maharashtra, Vidarbha, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Baroda, Jammu & Kashmir and Puducherry. The Ranji Trophy is India's premier domestic first-class competition, with teams competing across Elite Groups A to D for the title. Because Round 4 is the final stop of the first phase, its results can reshape every group table. When the tournament returns in January, teams will carry their first-phase points with them, which is why this round matters so much: sides in form can build a cushion, while sides that have slipped need this round to stay alive in the title race. All eyes are on Mumbai, which enters this round with a perfect record. Mumbai have played three matches, won all three, and taken bonus points in each of them — 21 points in total. Under the standard Ranji scoring system, a win is worth six points and a bonus point adds one, so three wins with bonus points make seven points per match and 21 in all. That means Mumbai have not dropped a single point so far. It is a maximum-points record, and it is why Mumbai sit at the top of Group D — not just ahead, but ahead with a flawless sheet. Mumbai's surge has been built on their bowling attack, with Tanush Kotian producing an eight-wicket haul. Kotian is known for long spells and for building pressure on opposition batters, and that performance is central to Mumbai's bonus-point story. This round matters to Mumbai because their habit of winning with bonus points has allowed them to climb the table far faster than their rivals. If Mumbai are the face of Group D, Baroda are in the spotlight for a different reason: Priyanshu Moliya. Moliya scored 321 in his previous match, an innings that has been recorded as a record. 321 is an extraordinary number in first-class cricket and it says plainly how well he is batting. The scope of the record — a Baroda record, a Ranji record or the highest score of the season — is a separate question, but one thing is certain: for opposition bowlers in Round 4, getting Moliya out early will be the biggest challenge. Baroda's batting currently revolves around a player who is in the mood for long innings. For Bengal, the headline is bowler Pradipta Pramanik, who returns to this round after a ten-wicket match haul against Kerala. A ten-wicket match haul is a major achievement in domestic first-class cricket and should lift the confidence of Bengal's spin attack considerably. This round also gives Bengal a chance to confirm that they remain in the title race by the end of the first phase. The most intriguing storyline of the round belongs to Jammu & Kashmir, who take the field as defending champions. After winning last season's title, the pressure on them is natural — every team wants to beat them, and every match brings an expectation of champion-level performance. Round 4 is their chance to close the first phase in a strong position so that they return in January in a position to defend the crown. As for the rest, Vidarbha, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Railways and Puducherry all feature in important group fixtures. Some will want to stay near the top of the table; for others, the end of the first phase is the last chance to correct a poor start. That is why this round is as much about morale ahead of the January return as it is about points. It is worth noting that the picture available ahead of this round is built on expectation and previous form. Toss results, playing XIs, pitch conditions and dated scorecards will only emerge once the matches begin, and those details will decide who moves ahead. Figures such as Mumbai's 21 points and three bonus-point wins, Moliya's 321 and Pramanik's ten-wicket haul are enough to generate excitement, but they need to be read alongside the official scorecards. Overall, Round 4 is the decisive stop of the first phase of Ranji Trophy 2026-27. Mumbai's perfect record, Moliya's record innings and Pramanik's return make this round compelling, while Jammu & Kashmir carry the weight of being defending champions. Before the January break, every team will want to be placed where a serious title challenge can be mounted in the second phase.