Cricket

India's premier domestic cricket tournament, the Ranji Trophy, is set to undergo a significant overhaul in its 90th season, which begins on October 10. The tournament will now be played in two phases, with an extra day's gap between matches to prioritize player well-being.Phase 1:The first phase of the Ranji Trophy will take place from October 11 to November 13, with each team playing five league games. This phase will be followed by the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (T20s) and Vijay Hazare Trophy (50 overs).Phase 2:The second phase of the Ranji Trophy will resume on January 23, 2025, with the last two group fixtures. The knockout phase will begin on February 8, with the final scheduled for February 26 to March 2.Format Changes:The tournament will feature 38 teams divided into five groups: Elite A, Elite B, Elite C, Elite D, and Plate. Teams will face all other teams in their respective groups, with the top two teams from each Elite group qualifying for the knockouts. The finalists from the Plate group knockout matches will earn promotion to the Elite groups for the following season, while the bottom two teams in the combined Elite group table will be relegated to the Plate group.Rationale for Changes:The changes to the Ranji Trophy structure were proposed by a working group led by former India men's head coach Rahul Dravid. The group recognized the lack of game time during the winter season in north India and the need for an extra day's gap between matches to allow players sufficient recovery time.Impact on Players:The new format is expected to provide players with more opportunities to showcase their skills and improve their fitness. The extra day's gap between matches will reduce the risk of injuries and allow players to perform at their best.Conclusion:The overhaul of the Ranji Trophy structure is a significant step towards revitalizing India's domestic cricket landscape. The changes are designed to enhance player well-being, provide more competitive opportunities, and ultimately elevate the standard of domestic cricket in India.

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.