BCCI looking at longer gap between Ranji Trophy games, October start to reduce fog disruptions; points for runs and wickets in Under-23 cricket

These suggestions were put forward by the Cricket Committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary, said as per the practice, the suggestions of the Cricket Committee will be placed before the Apex Council for approval.

Shah said the proposed four-day gap would give Ranji Trophy regulars more time to recover between matches.
“There will be an increased gap between matches to allow players sufficient time for recovery and to maintain peak performance throughout the season,” Shah said.

Shah added that the new points system was aimed to promote balanced performance at the Under-23 level. Last season a good number of Under-23 matches finished within four sessions, a worrying trend for the BCCI.

“The CK Nayudu Trophy will implement a new points system aimed at promoting balanced performances. This includes awarding points for batting and bowling performances in the first innings, in addition to points for the first innings lead or outright win,” Shah stated. “The visiting team will have the right to choose whether to bat or bowl first. A review will be conducted at the end of the season to assess the effectiveness of the new points system. A decision will be taken on whether to implement it in the Ranji Trophy for the following season,” Shah explained.

It is learnt that the Cricket Committee’s suggested points system is like this: 1 point for 150 runs, 225 runs (2 points), 300 runs (3 points), 350 runs (4 points) and 400 runs (5 points). However, the runs need to be scored within 100 overs. The bowling team will be rewarded based on the number of wickets taken within 100 overs.
The three-day gap between Ranji Trophy games was flagged by players last season.

India pacer Shardul Thakur, who represents Mumbai, had stated how tough it was for domestic players because of just a three-day break. “It is extremely tough for domestic players… to expect them to play 10 games in a row with just a three-day gap, (especially) if the team reaches the final. The schedule is becoming tighter and tighter,” Thakur had said last season after the semifinals.

To reduce weather-related disruptions during winter, the Cricket Committee has suggested that the Ranji Trophy start in October with five rounds to be played before a break. The remaining league matches and the knockout phase will be held after the T20 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Fog and bad light has resulted in truncated matches in north India once winter begins in December and an early start and a delayed second phase is being seen as a solution. Last season, the first round of matches of Ranji Trophy were held from January 5 to 8.

“The Indian domestic calendar will kick off from Duleep Trophy, Irani Trophy followed by Ranji Trophy which will commence with five rounds of league matches followed by the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy and will conclude with the remaining matches of the Ranji Trophy,” Shah said.