BCCI Mulls Over Revamping Ranji Trophy Schedule To Avoid Weather Woes

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Mumbai, Mar 18: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is contemplating a significant overhaul of the Ranji Trophy calendar for the forthcoming season. This strategic move aims to circumvent the scheduling of matches in the northern regions of India during December and January, notorious for foggy conditions and poor light that often disrupt gameplay.

The decision was a focal point of discussion during the BCCI Apex Council Meeting convened on Monday, March 18. Although the comprehensive domestic calendar remains under wraps for the time being, the Apex Council extensively deliberated on the tentative schedule for the 2024-25 season, underscoring its significance in the meeting's agenda.

Historically, the Ranji Trophy has kicked off in January and concluded in the second week of March. However, encounters held in north Indian cities such as Delhi, Chandigarh, Kanpur, Meerut, Jammu, and Dharamsala have frequently encountered challenges posed by adverse weather conditions, particularly fog and poor light, prevalent during the peak winter months.

While a definitive decision is yet to be reached, discussions suggest a potential shift in the commencement of the Ranji Trophy season, possibly from mid to late October. This timing, following the conclusion of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which serves as a springboard for the IPL auction, aims to mitigate the adverse effects of inclement weather experienced from mid-December to mid-February.

In addition to the scheduling adjustments, the BCCI is reportedly poised to establish a committee tasked with evaluating the prospect of granting associate membership to the union territory of Daman & Diu.

Moreover, the BCCI Apex Council has made it clear that foreign cricket boards cannot directly engage with state bodies for exposure trips. Despite expressed interest from several ICC associate member nations, including Nepal, to visit India for exposure tours and practice matches against domestic teams, stringent regulations have been put in place.

For instance, the Nepal team, gearing up for the T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies, had planned training sessions in the national capital and friendly T20 matches against Gujarat and Baroda as part of the proposed Friendship Cup. However, the Apex Council has stipulated that any affiliated state unit must procure a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the BCCI before hosting any international team.