Ranji Trophy league stage from Feb 16

Photo for representational purpose. Picture Courtesy/iStock

The much-awaited Ranji Trophy is set to begin on February 16 across nine venues shortlisted by the BCCI. The Board has decided to conduct India's premier first-class tournament in two phases - league stage before the Indian Premier League and knockout rounds after the cash-rich T20 league.

Sources indicated that the league stage will be conducted at nine venues - Ahmedabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Rajkot, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram, Cuttack and Guwahati. The BCCI has decided to make eight Elite groups of four teams each with the remaining six teams forming the Plate group. Each team in the Elite groups will play a minimum of three league games.

It is likely that some teams may get to play at home under the current circumstances with the BCCI facing a tough challenge to squeeze the Ranji league games before the IPL, which is likely to begin on March 27. The league stage will end on March 5, leaving 22 days for the IPL-bound players to join their respective teams.

The BCCI was forced to use up more venues in order to ensure more matches can be played simultaneously. The Ranji Trophy is taking place after a one-year Covid-induced gap.