BCCI Splits Ranji Trophy, Introduces Major Changes to Domestic Cricket Calendar

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced significant changes to the domestic cricket calendar for the 2024-25 season, including the splitting of the Ranji Trophy into two phases. The decision was made after consultations with a working group and senior players and coaches, who expressed concerns about the lack of game time due to weather disruptions in northern India during winters.

The Ranji Trophy will now begin in October, with each team playing five league games during a five-week window before the white-ball competitions commence. The last two group-stage fixtures will be held after the completion of the Vijay Hazare Trophy on January 18, followed by the knockout phase of the competition from February 8. The Ranji final is set to be held from February 26 to March 2.

The BCCI has also introduced an extra day's gap between matches, making it a total of four days as against three, to prioritize player well-being and facilitate better recovery and preparation.

In another significant move, the Duleep Trophy will not be played between zonal teams. Instead, the tournament has been whittled down to a four-team event with squads picked by the national selectors. This change aims to provide a wider pool of players, including those in the targeted group, with opportunities ahead of India's Test season.

The CK Nayudu Trophy, an Under-23 tournament, will no longer feature tosses. The visiting team will instead be allowed to choose whether to bat or bowl first. The BCCI has also introduced a "revamped points system" to foster balanced performances, including points for batting and bowling prowess in the first innings, as well as for securing the first innings lead or achieving an outright victory.

These changes are part of the BCCI's efforts to strengthen the core of domestic cricket and address concerns raised by players and coaches. The new schedule aims to provide more game time, reduce player fatigue, and enhance the competitiveness of domestic tournaments.

Tags: #RanjiTrophy, #DomesticCricket, #BCCI, #PlayerWellbeing, #DuleepTrophy