Despite reservations expressed in the domestic captains and coaches conclave, the BCCI has decided to stick with last season’s format for the Ranji Trophy knockouts and the Duleep Trophy for the forthcoming season.
While announcing the calendar — the season commences with the Duleep Trophy from August 17 to September 8 — the BCCI said the move to accommodate nine new teams will be persisted with.
In a statement on Wednesday, it said, “the Ranji Trophy will be played from the months of December to March.
“The format remains similar to last season wherein the top team that qualifies for quarterfinals from the Plate group will be promoted to Elite Group C in the next season. The top two teams that qualify for the quarterfinals from Elite Group C will be promoted to Elite Group A & Elite Group B in the next season.”
During the conclave in May, representatives of a majority of top teams had criticised accommodating a mediocre team at the cost of one of the two teams from the top two tiers.
Similarly, coaches had also voiced the need to revert the Duleep Trophy to a zonal format instead of the national selectors selecting three squads. However, their request seems to have fallen on deaf ears.
The BCCI, meanwhile, has ensured that the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy — the inter-state T20 tournament — will be played in November-December to ensure that it will get over before the IPL auction.
