Mumbai: After being under wraps due to the pandemic, Ranji Trophy along with other domestic events starting from November 19 later this year.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday announced the return of Domestic Cricket in India, for the upcoming 2021-22 season.
In a release BCCI stated all its domestic tournaments across age-groups with the coveted Ranji Trophy, starting on November 16, being the marquee event among the 2127 matches scheduled this season.
The season will commence on September 21, 2021, with the senior women's One Day League and will be followed by the senior women's One Day Challenger Trophy, which will take place from October 27, 2021.
The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy will kickstart on October 20, 2021 with the final to be played on November 12, 2021.
The coveted Ranji Trophy, which was cancelled last season due to the pandemic, will be played in a three-month window from November 16, 2021 to February 19, 2022.
The Vijay Hazare Trophy will take place from February 23, 2022 to March 26, 2022.
A total of 2127 domestic games will be played this season across various age groups in the men’s & women’s category.
"The season will commence on September 21, 2021, with the Senior Women's One Day League and will be followed by the Senior Women's One Day Challenger Trophy, which will take place from October 27, 2021," BCCI secretary Jay Shah said in a media release.
"The BCCI is confident of hosting the domestic season with health and safety of players and all people involved being paramount," the statement further read.
No Irani Cup, Duleep or Deodhar Trophy
While a whopping 2127 domestic games are being held, just like the 2019-20 edition, there will be no Irani Cup, Duleep Trophy (inter-zonal first-class) or Deodhar Trophy (rechristened in Challenger Format) during this edition also. It is understood that Irani Cup and Duleep Trophy, which used to be selection audition for men's national team, has lost its relevance and hence it has been shelved for the time being.
There is also a proposal to increase the match fees of domestic cricketers but the quantum hasn't yet been decided. As of now, they get Rs 1.4 lakh per first-class game and Rs 35,000 for List A and T20 games. This is for the first-team players while reserves get half the amount. It is learnt that per day match fees could be hiked anything between Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 but the proposal would need BCCI general body's sanction.
