BCCI Secretary Jay Shah on Friday mentioned that the postponed Ranji Trophy shall be held in two phases beginning subsequent month, clearing the decks for India’s premier home competitors to renew after being cancelled final season.
It’s anticipated that the 33-team match will start within the second week of February and the primary section will proceed for a couple of month.
The match, which was not held final 12 months because of the COVID-19 pandemic, was scheduled to start on January 13 however was postponed owing to a 3rd wave of infections throughout the nation.
“The Board has determined to conduct the Ranji Trophy this season in two phases. Within the first section, we plan to finish all matches of the league stage whereas the knockouts shall be held in June,” Shah mentioned in a press release.
“My workforce is working intently to mitigate any sort of well being threat brought on by the pandemic, whereas on the similar time making certain a extremely aggressive red-ball cricket contest.”
Shah mentioned that the BCCI understands the importance of the Ranji Trophy.
“Ranji Trophy is our most prestigious home competitors, which has been offering Indian Cricket with an enviable expertise pool yearly. It’s completely vital that we take all obligatory steps to safeguard the curiosity of this premier occasion,” he mentioned.
The BCCI announcement has come a day after its treasurer Arun Dhumal had mentioned that the Board intends to host the occasion.
The 2 phases are required for the reason that BCCI additionally plans to host the IPL from March 27 and internet hosting two large tournaments wouldn’t be doable virtually because the gamers’ availability would even be a problem.
Earlier, former nationwide workforce head coach Ravi Shastri on Friday mentioned that Indian cricket would grow to be “spineless” if the at the moment postponed Ranji Trophy is ignored.
“The Ranji Trophy is the spine of Indian cricket. The second you begin ignoring it our cricket shall be SPINELESS!,” Shastri tweeted.
The BCCI paid 50 per cent of the sooner match payment as compensation to all first-class cricketers who endured monetary losses resulting from Ranji’s cancellation final 12 months.
