Kochi, April 12 (PTI): Elite C were all set to clinch the Duleep Trophy by virtue of first innings lead after they restricted Plate B to 309 for nine at close on the penultimate day of the Duleep Trophy match Saturday.

Plate B has the daunting task of making 188 more through the last wicket pair to surpass the rival’s first innings total of 426.

If the match ends in a draw and Elite C take the first innings lead, Plate B will finish runners-up. Both teams are on 16 points.

In Chennai, Elite B scored a nine wicket win with more than a day to spare over Plate A.

Overnight 74 for two, Plate A lost Roland Barrington to the very first delivery this morning but Rajiv Kumar and Yashpal Singh kept the bowlers at bay adding 78 for the fourth wicket.

SUMMARISED SCORES

n In Kochi: Elite C 426. Plate B 309/9 (J. Arunkumar 78,Vijay Bharadwaj 94 not out, S. Nair 32; N. Kulkarni 4/101, K. Parida 3/100). Match to continue.

n In Chennai: Plate A 135 & 244 (R.Kumar 31, Y. Singh 93). Elite B 329 & 51/0 (Wasim Jaffer 30). Elite B won by 9 wkts.