Ranji gets a makeover

BCCI technical committee proposes radical changes to make domestic cricket more purposeful

In a serious bid to revitalise domestic cricket in the country,the Board of Control for Cricket in Indias (BCCI) technical committee,chaired by Sourav Ganguly,on Tuesday recommended major structural changes for some of its marquee tournaments. The more radical suggestions include dividing the 27 Ranji Trophy teams into three groups of nine each and scrapping the present format,awarding extra points to teams for outright wins and empowering the pitches committee.

The Ranji Trophy has been contested across two groups Elite and Plate for close to 10 seasons but looks set for an overhaul if the proposal gets a green signal from the BCCIs working committee. The 27 domestic teams being split into Groups A,B and C would,for starters,ensure that each plays eight matches in the league stages.

The changes will make the competition even and each team will play a few more matches. Teams will also be promoted and relegated according to their standings. But all these are recommendations. The BCCI working committee will take the final decision, Ganguly said at the BCCI headquarters.

Story continues below this ad

The defending Ranji Trophy champions,Rajasthan,will find a place in Group A,while runners-up Tamil Nadu will be part of Group B. The two teams which qualified last season from the Plate League Hyderabad and Maharashtra will also be included in either A or B. The remaining 13 Elite teams and the Plate team that finished with maximum points in the league stages Vidarbha will be divided randomly or at the discretion of the tours and fixtures committee,which will meet next month.

New structure

The top three teams in Group A and B will qualify for the knockouts which will henceforth be five-day affairs alongside the top two from the third group. At the end of each season,the bottom-placed teams from A and B will be relegated to Group C while the top two from there will be promoted to either of the upper-tier groups. The knockout games will also have a provision of being extended to a sixth day if first innings play is not completed by both teams by the fifth day.

Meanwhile,more members will be added to the present five in the pitches committee. The curators will not only monitor the pitches but also be asked to prepare the wickets in four or five venues themselves.

Other recommendations include more points for outright wins,allowing one bowler to bowl up to 12 overs in 50-over matches and restructuring the NKP Salve Challenger Trophy by having the winner of the Vijay Hazare (domestic 50-over) Trophy face off against two teams picked by the senior selection committee from the next season.

Story continues below this ad

A suggestion was also made to hold two Irani Trophies during the 2012-13 season. The first will pit 2011 winners Rajasthan against Rest of India (ROI),followed by a similar clash between ROI and the Ranji Trophy champions from the next season. The committee also vetoed the idea of playing on uncovered wickets while the U-22 category has been changed to A side with U-25 players.

Out with the old,in with the new

Elite & Plate Groups done away with. The 27 teams will be divided into three groups. Three teams will qualify for knockouts from Group A & B and two from Group C.

All knockout stage matches will be five-day affairs. Provision of extra day to help get a result,with winner decided by toss if there is none. Outright wins will fetch six points.

Domestic calendar rescheduled to keep tournaments in particular formats together.

Story continues below this ad

Duleep to be the season opener. Irani Cup to be played immediately after Ranji Trophy. Two Irani Cups this season to compensate for alternate scheduling. One-day and T20 matches to follow in that order.

From 2013-14,Challenger Trophy to include winners of domestic one-day tournament,apart from two Board selected teams.

One bowler permitted to bowl 12 overs in one-dayers.