Reebok is apparently going to tussle with Nike over pants of cricketers. Hmm.

Powered by a commendable bowling effort by unknown Pankaj Singh taking 10 in the match, supported by Sanjay Gill, Rajasthan out classed Orissa. So Rajasthan gets promoted to division 1 with the effort from stars who belonged to other states - like Gill (Delhi) and Ajay Jadeja.

I am loving this new weekly column on cricinfo. The profiled Ashwell Prince and Brett Dorey earlier. It is now time for India’s R.P.Singh. RP concentrates on line and length and that is a quality which isn’t found much in modern fast/swing bowlers. I have been impressed by whatever little I have seen of the guy. Hopefully he can swing India to many glories in the future years, developing a yard of pace in time.

Sambaran Banerjee was the wicketkeeper captain when Bengal won the Ranji Trophy in the 1989-1990 season. Another wicketkeeper, Deep Dasgupta is the captain this time.

Is this a sign of good things to come for the Bengal side? After the flack Kaif and Raina recieved for making 50s and not converting them to big 100s from chief selector More, Bengal can expect nothing except a serious battle.

With home advantage, Uttar Pradesh looks like the slight favourites. But Bengal has been playing cohesively as a team with every one performing.

It should be a very interesting Ranji Final come Sunday.

Dr. Saeed Durrani in Daily Times letters suggests Rakhi as the name for the India-Pakistan series. While Ashes symbolises destruction, Rakhi is the symbol of bonding. I like it.

Younis Khan and Kamran Akmal love to bat versus India. They know how to play the Indian spinners very well. Pakistan can make quick runs and put India under pressure tomorrow if they are brave enough to go down that road. With only 1 wicket for Pakistan, they find themselves in a position to decide the possible course of the match. A draw does look the likely outcome even if both teams intent to play for a win from the current scenario.

Shekhar Joshi bats a 100 balls, 120 minutes without scoring and helps Baroda draw their match versus Bengal.

I had written this after Day 2 when not many were giving India a chance:

India has 110. At 3 and half runs per over then can reach 425. Accelarting tomorrow, they can reach the score of Pakistan. Then a performance by Kumble and Harbhajan (provided the pitch provides support) can lead to a change in scenario. India may have to chase around 200-250 in the last 2 sessions or so. Could be a mouth watering prospect. On the other hand the Indian batting can collapse and we can see a Pakistan victory. There is a lot to unfold still in this match

It will indeed be very interesting to see how Kumble and Harbhajan perform now.

I have to bring on the point of Dravid opening and Laxman batting at 3.

I am happy with the development. It still has to be seen whether Dravid decides to come back to number 3 or maintains this spot in more helpful conditions/abroad. If he puts his mind to it, he can do the job I am convinced.

It is no secret that Laxman loves batting at number 3.

A common arguement can be - opening is not an easy job. Another can be - what message does it send other openers in the country. Another can be why unsettle the important role Dravid plays at 3.

I see the much bigger problem in India’s opening worries in the past 10-15 years abroad and if it can be solved, it would be a big achievement.

Should be interesting to see how it goes.

Sri Lanka inflicted a defeat on Australia. Not many were giving them a chance in the VB series after their performances versus India and New Zealand.

Bengal courtesy Deep Dasgupta and Laxmi Ratan Shukla look all set to go into the Ranji Final. So do Uttar Pradesh.

The India-Pakistan match meanwhile turned into the Afridi show yet again yeterday. The essential point in this match is there is a lot of time left. Two things are very vital from now on - whether the Indian batting puts up a total or collapses, what the effect of the spinners is from the 3rd day evening session onwards.

India has 110. At 3 and half runs per over then can reach 425. Accelarting tomorrow, they can reach the score of Pakistan. Then a performance by Kumble and Harbhajan (provided the pitch provides support) can lead to a change in scenario.

India may have to chase around 200-250 in the last 2 sessions or so. Could be a mouth watering prospect.

On the other hand the Indian batting can collapse and we can see a Pakistan victory.

There is a lot to unfold still in this match