BCCI postpones Ranji Trophy in domestic calendar till Jan 5

The BCCI has postponed the start of the Ranji Trophy from November 16 to January 5 in the domestic calendar to ensure that the 38 participating teams have the red ball. Have more time for cricket preparation.

One step follows the request of multiple associations

The move follows requests from several associations while seeking more time to prepare for the first-class competition, which was postponed in 2020-21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ranji Trophy will now start from January 5, with an end date of March 20, 2022.

In a revamped domestic calendar sent to state associations, the BCCI has adjusted the Vijay Hazare Trophy for the period it was originally scheduled to run the Ranji Trophy. The senior men’s white-ball tournaments will be held before the Ranji Trophy.

The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which opens the senior men’s competitions, will run from October 27 to November 22, with the Vijay Hazare Trophy from December 1-29.
The women’s one-day competition, the season’s original curtain-raiser, will now begin on 20 October instead of 21 September. This will be followed by the four-team Challenger Trophy, which aims to further exchange match practice with India’s top players. Fringe players watching the 2022 Women’s World Cup in New Zealand.

The domestic season will be on par with the CK Nayudu Trophy, which is now an Under-25 tournament instead of an Under-23. The move will especially benefit the players who have lost 18 months of age-group cricket due to the pandemic. The tournament will be played from January 6 to April 2. In recent times this tournament has been seen on the feeder route pattern for the Ranji Trophy.

Change in Ranji Trophy form; players are unhappy

The 38 Ranji Trophy teams will now be divided into six groups: five Elite (six teams each) and Plate (eight teams). Each topper from the elite group will advance directly to the quarterfinals.

While the format adds one edge by making the fight easier, it also has another. Teams were distributed into three elite groups and plates, with elite teams having a minimum of eight first-class games.

Reducing five league games to the current format also results in loss of earnings, The BCCI’s committee to look into players’ compensation announces an increase. Delay in exchange for cricket missed in 2020-21 due to illness.

Under-19 players will get more years

In order not to deprive the Under-19 players of junior cricket’s big prize – in the Under-19 World Cup. Will be given Will be held in the Caribbean early next year.

According to the current BCCI rules, a player can compete in Under-19 cricket for a maximum of four seasons. The rule has been changed to accommodate the fifth season to ensure a somewhat level playing field for players.

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Any fixed ending around the tournament is due to vaccination work for those 18 or younger to take up the Vijay Merchant Trophy for under-16 boys. Although no date has been announced yet, the tournament is expected to take place in November-December 2021.

Cap on players, limit on support staff

In an email to the state associations, the BCCI has stipulated that each team can have a maximum of 30 members, consisting of at least 20 players. The number of support staff has been fixed to 10.

Teams have also been asked to appoint a physician over and above the support staff limit for COVID-19 related issues.