No Ranji Trophy for first time in 86 years

New Delhi, January 30

The country’s premier First-Class cricket tournament, the Ranji Trophy, will not be conducted during this domestic season due to the severe disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

This is the first time since the Ranji Trophy was instituted in 1934-35 season that the tournament will not be held at all. The Indian cricket board (BCCI) has, however, decided to organise the domestic 50-overs tournament for the Vijay Hazare Trophy, as per the wishes of a majority of the state units. The BCCI will also organise the men’s Under-19 Vinoo Mankad Trophy and the women’s national 50-over tournament during this season.

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah were keen on the Ranji Trophy, which has the maximum match fee — roughly Rs 1.5 lakh per game — for the domestic players. However, it is understood that a two-month long bio-bubble even for a truncated two-phased Ranji Trophy in the times of the pandemic wasn’t feasible.

“I am extremely happy to inform you that we are going to conduct the Senior Women’s One Day tournament simultaneously with the Vijay Hazare Trophy and follow it up with Vinoo Mankad Trophy Under-19. This has been decided after having received your feedback on the domestic season 2020-21,” Shah wrote to the state units.

BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal said the decision to cancel the Ranji Trophy was taken after taking every stakeholder into confidence.

“We took feedback from the players, selection committee, state associations. It was felt that 2020 is already gone and rather than having two Ranji events in the same calendar year, it is better to go for white-ball cricket,” Dhumal said.

 “That way we could have something for junior cricket and women considering the importance of the women’s World Cup and U-19 World Cup next year.

 Dhumal added the players would be compensated financially for the cancellation of the Ranji Trophy. — TNS, agencies