Ranji Trophy 2024-25 Season Commences with New Format

The 2024/25 season of India’s premier first-class cricket competition, the Ranji Trophy, is set to begin on October 11. The tournament will feature 32 teams divided into four groups of eight each. Defending champions Mumbai, who also secured victory in the Irani Cup last week, are placed in Group A. Mumbai is renowned as the most successful team in the history of the Ranji Trophy with 42 title wins and six runner-up finishes. They are followed by Karnataka with eight titles, while Delhi has secured the trophy seven times. Madhya Pradesh and Baroda boast five titles each.

This season, the Ranji Trophy will be played in two distinct phases, a change aimed at reducing weather-related disruptions and managing players’ workloads, particularly fast bowlers. Initially, each team will compete in five league games over a five-week period from October to November, before the focus shifts to white-ball tournaments including the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The second phase of the Ranji Trophy will commence on January 23, 2025.

The decision to split the season comes after numerous player suggestions, including those from fast bowlers who have advocated for better recovery time between matches. Last season, Mumbai allrounder Shardul Thakur expressed concern over potential injuries, highlighting the previous schedule that offered only a short turnaround between games.

While the initial leg is expected to offer a platform for domestic players eyeing national selection, selectors will closely monitor performances with an eye on forthcoming series, notably the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia and a shadow red-ball tour by India A. This season holds importance for players such as Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer, both of whom are keen to reclaim their spots in the Test team.

Several matches in the early stages last year were impacted by adverse weather, prompting the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to adjust scheduling. Matches are now planned in cities like Srinagar, Delhi, and Dharamsala, where weather interruptions are less likely during the proposed timeframe.

The knockout stages of the competition are set to take place from February 8 to March 2. The inclusion of seasoned players like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, who have vast domestic experience, aims to add depth and competition to the tournament.