Mumbai: In an announcement that will come as a big relief to hundreds of domestic CricketUmpires and Scorers BCCI Secretary jai shah Said on Friday that the board will organize the 2021-22 edition Ranji TrophyInitially postponed due to the rise in Covid cases in the country, there were two phases – the league phase before the IPL, and the knockout T20 league after.
“The board has decided to organize the Ranji Trophy in two phases this season. In the first phase, we are planning to complete all the matches of the league phase, while the knockouts will take place in June,” said Shah.
“My team is working together to minimize any health risks caused by the pandemic, while simultaneously ensuring a highly competitive red-ball cricket competition. The Ranji Trophy being our most coveted domestic competition, has been providing Indian cricket with an enthusiastic talent pool every year. It is of utmost importance that we take all necessary steps to safeguard the interests of this major event,” he said in the statement.
TOI had reported on January 23 that the board was looking at the options of holding the league stage of the Ranji Trophy ahead of the IPL and then playing the knockouts.
While the BCCI has not come out with the revised schedule of the tournament, a source told this paper that the upcoming edition of the Ranji Trophy is likely to begin from February 20. “There will be eight groups of four teams. Each team will get to play three matches in the league stage. This way, the league phase will be over in about 15 days, and players will be available for camps and quarantine for this franchise from mid-March,” revealed the source.
On Friday, former India head coach Ravi Shastri had said on social media that the Ranji Trophy is the backbone of Indian cricket and the major domestic red-ball tournament should not be ignored. “Ranji Trophy is the backbone of Indian cricket. The moment you start ignoring it, our cricket will go spineless,” tweeted Shastri.
“The board has decided to organize the Ranji Trophy in two phases this season. In the first phase, we are planning to complete all the matches of the league phase, while the knockouts will take place in June,” said Shah.
“My team is working together to minimize any health risks caused by the pandemic, while simultaneously ensuring a highly competitive red-ball cricket competition. The Ranji Trophy being our most coveted domestic competition, has been providing Indian cricket with an enthusiastic talent pool every year. It is of utmost importance that we take all necessary steps to safeguard the interests of this major event,” he said in the statement.
TOI had reported on January 23 that the board was looking at the options of holding the league stage of the Ranji Trophy ahead of the IPL and then playing the knockouts.
While the BCCI has not come out with the revised schedule of the tournament, a source told this paper that the upcoming edition of the Ranji Trophy is likely to begin from February 20. “There will be eight groups of four teams. Each team will get to play three matches in the league stage. This way, the league phase will be over in about 15 days, and players will be available for camps and quarantine for this franchise from mid-March,” revealed the source.
On Friday, former India head coach Ravi Shastri had said on social media that the Ranji Trophy is the backbone of Indian cricket and the major domestic red-ball tournament should not be ignored. “Ranji Trophy is the backbone of Indian cricket. The moment you start ignoring it, our cricket will go spineless,” tweeted Shastri.
Ranji Trophy is the backbone of Indian cricket. The moment you start ignoring it, our cricket will go spineless!
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) 1643349282000
On January 4, the BCCI postponed the Ranji Trophy due to the rising COVID-19 cases in the country. The Ranji Trophy and the Col CK Nayudu Trophy were scheduled to begin in January this year. The Ranji Trophy was also not organized in the last season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal had told PTI on Thursday that the board intends to organize the Ranji Trophy 2021-22 in two phases.
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