<p class="title">Karnataka's run of three wins and a draw in four matches has taken them to the doorstep of a quarterfinal berth. When the eight-time champions take on Uttar Pradesh here from Friday, they will be looking to be the first team from Group 'A' to make it to the last-eight of the Ranji Trophy. </p>.<p class="bodytext">R Vinay Kumar's men top the table with 23 points and they just need to ensure they don't lose the remaining two matches. A single point from here will see Karnataka advance.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Karnataka's tremendous form is not a good sign for Uttar Pradesh, who have already crashed out of the tournament. With the presence of India star Suresh Raina notwithstanding, Uttar Pradesh have had a disappointing season in which they have failed to register a single win. With three defeats and one draw, they lie just above the bottom-placed Assam (2) with four points. </p>.<p class="bodytext">It is their collective performance that has helped Karnataka enjoy a fine run so far.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Openers Mayank Agarwal (534) and R Samarth (405) are the top-run getters while Karun Nair is in good touch. The seasoned batsman struck back-to-back centuries after missing Karnataka's first tie of the season. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Karnataka's fielding hasn't been consistent. Their slip catching, which showed signs of improvement in the previous match against Delhi, will be put to test here. K L Rahul's unavailability due to national commitment could give D Nischal another game. The right-hander failed to impress on his Ranji debut against Maharashtra in Pune.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Wicket-keeper batsman CM Gautam is due for a big one and it is a perfect opportunity for the senior batsman to find his touch. </p>.<p class="bodytext">"It looks like a true pitch that will assist both batsmen and bowlers," said Karnataka assistant coach G K Anil Kumar on Thursday. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Despite his dismal show -- 105 runs from eight innings -- Raina will be Uttar Pradesh's key man. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Other fixtures: Group A: At Guwahati: Assam vs Hyderabad; At Delhi: Delhi vs Maharashtra.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Group B: At Surat: Gujarat vs Rajasthan; At Rohtak: Jammu & Kashmir vs Haryana; At Thumba: Kerala vs Saurashtra.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Group C: At Ongole: Andhra vs Mumbai; At Vadodara: Baroda vs Odisha; At Indore: Tamil Nadu vs Madhya Pradesh</p>.<p class="bodytext">Group D: At Raipur: Chhattisgarh vs Services; At Porvorim: Goa vs Vidarbha; At Amritsar: Punjab vs Bengal.</p>
<p class="title">Karnataka's run of three wins and a draw in four matches has taken them to the doorstep of a quarterfinal berth. When the eight-time champions take on Uttar Pradesh here from Friday, they will be looking to be the first team from Group 'A' to make it to the last-eight of the Ranji Trophy. </p>.<p class="bodytext">R Vinay Kumar's men top the table with 23 points and they just need to ensure they don't lose the remaining two matches. A single point from here will see Karnataka advance.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Karnataka's tremendous form is not a good sign for Uttar Pradesh, who have already crashed out of the tournament. With the presence of India star Suresh Raina notwithstanding, Uttar Pradesh have had a disappointing season in which they have failed to register a single win. With three defeats and one draw, they lie just above the bottom-placed Assam (2) with four points. </p>.<p class="bodytext">It is their collective performance that has helped Karnataka enjoy a fine run so far.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Openers Mayank Agarwal (534) and R Samarth (405) are the top-run getters while Karun Nair is in good touch. The seasoned batsman struck back-to-back centuries after missing Karnataka's first tie of the season. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Karnataka's fielding hasn't been consistent. Their slip catching, which showed signs of improvement in the previous match against Delhi, will be put to test here. K L Rahul's unavailability due to national commitment could give D Nischal another game. The right-hander failed to impress on his Ranji debut against Maharashtra in Pune.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Wicket-keeper batsman CM Gautam is due for a big one and it is a perfect opportunity for the senior batsman to find his touch. </p>.<p class="bodytext">"It looks like a true pitch that will assist both batsmen and bowlers," said Karnataka assistant coach G K Anil Kumar on Thursday. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Despite his dismal show -- 105 runs from eight innings -- Raina will be Uttar Pradesh's key man. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Other fixtures: Group A: At Guwahati: Assam vs Hyderabad; At Delhi: Delhi vs Maharashtra.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Group B: At Surat: Gujarat vs Rajasthan; At Rohtak: Jammu & Kashmir vs Haryana; At Thumba: Kerala vs Saurashtra.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Group C: At Ongole: Andhra vs Mumbai; At Vadodara: Baroda vs Odisha; At Indore: Tamil Nadu vs Madhya Pradesh</p>.<p class="bodytext">Group D: At Raipur: Chhattisgarh vs Services; At Porvorim: Goa vs Vidarbha; At Amritsar: Punjab vs Bengal.</p>