Kerala will look to seal a place in the knockouts when it takes on basement dweller Bihar in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match at the Sports Hub here on Thursday.

Kerala, currently second in the group with 21 points, needs an outright win to ensure qualification for the knockouts for the first time in six years. Though Kerala again will not be playing at its favourite venue, St.Xavier’s College ground, the team’s confidence is high after a morale boosting draw against Madhya Pradesh.

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In the last match against Madhya Pradesh, the pitch threw up a lot of challenges to the Kerala batters. The top-order collapses in both innings was worrying but stodgy batting by the lower order saved the match for the host.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi in the nets
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However, this match will be played on a different surface which is expected to aid the slower bowlers more. Kerala will miss Baba Aparajith who is ruled with an injured calf. Vishnu Vinod, who missed the last match due to viral infection, is available for selection. Under-23 players, batter Varun Nayanar and all-rounder Eden Apple Tom have been added to the Ranji squad.

“We will go all out for a win. Having said that we cannot take Bihar for granted and we will have to be at our best. There is scope for improvement in both batting and bowling. I believe we have players suited for all conditions. We will decide on the playing XI after assessing the conditions tomorrow,” said Kerala captain Sachin Baby.

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After a heavy defeat against Uttar Pradesh in the last match, Bihar will be hoping to end the season on a positive note. The Veer Pratap Singh led side has lost five matches – four by an innings- and have conceded 600 runs twice this season. “We are definitely better than what the results suggest. We have nothing to lose and we will fight hard and make it difficult for the host. Our aim is to end the season on a high,’’ said captain Veer Pratap Singh.