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.

After a protracted legal battle, the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) has finally announced a 20-member squad for the upcoming 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season. The team will face Haryana in their opening match on October 11 in Rohtak.The selection process was marred by controversy, with the Patna High Court appointing an ombudsman to oversee BCA affairs in August. The ombudsman subsequently reinstated Amit Kumar as BCA secretary and appointed a new selection committee. However, the High Court stayed its own order on October 8, nullifying the selection committee's decision.Amidst the power struggle between former BCA secretary Kumar and current president Rakesh Tiwari, two separate training camps were conducted in Patna. The latest decision brings some relief to Bihar cricketers, who were caught in the crossfire.The Bihar squad, selected by a committee led by Madhusudan Tantubhai, includes Veer Pratap Singh as captain and Shakibul Gani as vice-captain. The team faces a tough challenge in Group C, which also includes Bengal, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh.Bihar finished last in Group B in the 2023-24 season, with four defeats and three drawn games in seven matches. The team will be hoping for a better performance this season, with the aim of improving Bihar cricket's standing in the domestic circuit.

Prolific Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan will miss the team's Ranji Trophy opener against Baroda due to his inclusion in the National Cricket Academy (NCA) camp. The 25-year-old played a pivotal role in Mumbai's Irani Cup triumph last week, scoring an unbeaten 222.Khan's absence is a significant blow to Mumbai, who are the defending Ranji Trophy champions. The team will face Baroda in an away fixture from October 11 and Maharashtra at home from October 18. The latter match coincides with the India-New Zealand first Test in Bengaluru from October 16.Despite his absence, Khan is expected to retain his place in the India squad. The Mumbai selectors have picked a strong squad for the first two matches, led by Ajinkya Rahane. Other notable players include Prithvi Shaw, Shreyas Iyer, and Shams Mulani.

Mayank Agarwal, the out-of-favor India opener, has been appointed as Karnataka's captain for their first two Ranji Trophy matches against Madhya Pradesh and Kerala. The 28-year-old will be eager to impress the selectors with some big runs after a lukewarm Duleep Trophy.Agarwal's deputy will be pacer Prasidh Krishna, who is also making a comeback to top-flight cricket after a long injury layoff. Krishna, who has a BCCI pace bowlers' contract, will be looking to improve his wicket tally after taking just four wickets in two matches for India A in the Duleep Trophy.Other key players in the Karnataka squad include Devdutt Padikkal, who will be hoping to continue his good form from the Duleep Trophy, and pacer Vysakh Vijayakumar, who will be eager to make his presence felt after a successful season with Kerala last year.However, pacer Vidwath Kaverappa, who is nursing an injury, did not find a place in the 16-member squad.Karnataka will face MP at Indore from October 11, while the former champions will take on Kerala at Bengaluru from October 18.

The Bharat Ratna Shree Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow is abuzz with excitement as the inter-state season kicks off with the Z.R. Irani Cup tie between Mumbai and the Rest of India (RoI). The camaraderie and bonhomie between the two squads were evident during the practice sessions, but the competitive spirit will be on full display come Tuesday.Mumbai, the reigning Ranji Trophy champions, will be eager to regain the Irani Cup after a three-decade drought. Beating a formidable RoI side, which boasts a galaxy of India stars, is considered the ultimate test for a Ranji champion. Ajinkya Rahane and his Mumbai team will be determined to start their Ranji title defense with a bang.The RoI squad, on the other hand, will be bolstered by the addition of Yash Dayal and Dhruv Jurel, who were released from India's Test squad. Their presence will pose additional selection dilemmas for both camps. Mumbai may consider handing a debut to promising youngster Ayush Mhatre or giving Siddhesh Lad his first First Class appearance in four years.Beyond the team make-up, the bigger selection battles will be with an eye on the upcoming tour of Australia. The Australia selection tussle could add an extra layer of intrigue to what promises to be a thrilling contest.

Mumbai all-rounder Musheer Khan, the younger brother of India batter Sarfaraz Khan, has suffered a major setback after being involved in a road accident on the outskirts of Lucknow. The 19-year-old sustained neck injuries in the accident and is expected to be out of action for at least three months, ruling him out of the upcoming Irani Cup and the start of the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season.Musheer was traveling from his hometown Azamgarh to Lucknow for the Irani Cup, which begins on October 1, when his car hit a divider and overturned on the Purvanchal Expressway. His father, Naushad Khan, who was also in the car, suffered minor scratches.Musheer was rushed to Medanta Hospital in Lucknow, where he is currently undergoing treatment. Dr. Bhola Singh, Medical Superintendent at the hospital, said that the cricketer is out of danger and his condition is stable."Cricketer Musheer Khan, injured in a road accident on the Purvanchal Expressway, was brought to the emergency department of Medanta Hospital due to pain in his neck. His treatment is being conducted under the supervision of Dr. Dharmendra Singh, Director of the Department of Orthopedics," Dr. Singh said in a statement."His condition is stable and he is out of danger," he added.The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) said that Musheer is currently "stable, conscious, and well-oriented.""He has sustained a fracture in the neck region and is under close observation. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) medical teams are closely monitoring his progress to ensure he receives the best possible care," the MCA said."Once Musheer is deemed medically fit for travel, he will be flown to Mumbai for further evaluation and additional medical treatment. The timeline for his recovery will be determined following these assessments."The accident is a major blow for Musheer, who has emerged as a promising all-rounder in recent times. He has already scored three centuries and a half-century in nine First-Class games, including a double hundred in last season's Ranji Trophy quarter-final and a match-winning century in the final against Vidarbha.He had also begun the 2024-25 domestic season with a hundred in the Duleep Trophy for India B against India A in Bengaluru recently.Reigning Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai are slated to take on Rest of India in the Irani Cup match at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow from October 1-5. After the Irani game, Mumbai will begin their Ranji campaign on October 11 against Baroda.

Mumbai's promising young cricketer, Musheer Khan, has suffered a setback after sustaining a fracture in a road accident in Uttar Pradesh. The 19-year-old was traveling with his father and coach, Naushad Khan, from Kanpur to Lucknow for the Irani Cup tie when the incident occurred.Musheer's injury is a significant blow to Mumbai, as he was expected to play a key role in the Irani Cup match against Rest of India from October 1-5. He will also miss the initial rounds of the Ranji Trophy, which begin on October 11.The talented left-arm spinner and batsman has been in impressive form this season, scoring 716 runs in nine matches at an average of 51.14, including three centuries and one fifty. He also took eight wickets at an average of 26.87.Musheer's performances have caught the attention of selectors, and he was set to be picked for India A's shadow tour of Australia this winter. However, his injury now casts doubt on his availability for the tour.The Mumbai Cricket Association has not yet commented on the accident, but selectors are expected to name a replacement for Musheer in the Irani Cup squad.Musheer's younger brother, Sarfaraz Khan, is a Test batsman for India. Musheer had a productive under-19 World Cup and made a magnificent 181 on his Duleep Trophy debut earlier this month for India B against India A at Bengaluru.The extent of Musheer's injury and the duration of his recovery are not yet known. However, the accident is a reminder of the risks that young athletes face while traveling for competitions.

Yuzvendra Chahal, India's limited-overs leg-spinner, has returned home after a successful stint in county cricket with Northamptonshire CCC. Chahal's impressive performances in both four-day and One-Day formats, where he claimed 24 wickets at an average of 17, have earned him accolades as one of the best overseas signings in recent times.Chahal's county experience has not only honed his skills but also provided him with an opportunity to showcase his abilities against a high standard of cricket. With India set to tour England next year, Chahal's performances have served as a testament to his capabilities.Beyond his on-field achievements, Chahal is passionate about mentoring young cricketers. He has been instrumental in guiding Krish Patel, an 18-year-old cricketer with a promising future. Chahal's commitment to nurturing the next generation of cricketers reflects his dedication to the sport.The growing trend of Indian cricketers participating in county cricket highlights its importance as a platform for growth and development. Players like Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Washington Sundar, Prithvi Shaw, and Chahal have all benefited from the competitive environment and high-quality opposition in county cricket.Brindon Bagirathan, the bridge between English Cricket and India, has played a pivotal role in facilitating Indian cricketers' participation in county cricket. Bagirathan's efforts have not only enhanced the skills of Indian players but also strengthened the global identity of Indian cricket.With India's tour of England in 2025 approaching, it is likely that more Indian cricketers will seek opportunities to play county cricket to impress the national selectors. The experience gained in county cricket will be invaluable in preparing for the challenges of international cricket.

Virat Kohli's journey with Delhi cricket has been a remarkable one, marked by both triumphs and challenges. His association with the Ranji Trophy, India's premier domestic cricket tournament, began in the 2006-07 season.Kohli's performances in the Ranji Trophy were instrumental in his rise to prominence. His consistent batting and leadership skills caught the attention of selectors, leading to his debut for the Indian national team in 2008.However, Kohli's path to success was not without its obstacles. In a recent interview, he revealed that he was once dropped from the Delhi Under-14 team at 1 AM due to "compensations" being offered to others. Despite this setback, Kohli's determination remained unwavering.One of Kohli's most memorable moments in the Ranji Trophy came in December 2006, when he scored 90 runs against Karnataka just a day after his father's death. This innings showcased his mental strength and dedication to the game.Kohli's last Ranji Trophy appearance for Delhi was in 2012. Since then, his international commitments have limited his participation in the domestic tournament. Nevertheless, his early success in the Ranji Trophy played a crucial role in his development as a world-class cricketer.Kohli's contributions to Delhi cricket extend beyond his on-field performances. He has been a mentor to young players and has played a significant role in promoting the sport in the region. His legacy as a Delhi cricketer will continue to inspire generations to come.