BCCI curtails the domestic season due to COVID-19 concerns

The Board of Control for Cricket in India [BCCI] has agreed not to stage a few tournaments, including the Duleep Trophy, Deodhar Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy, due to the situation exacerbated by the pandemic.

The Ranji Trophy, India's most prominent tournament, is scheduled to commence as planned, beginning in January. According to the TOI, the BCCI is seeking to formulate the initial phase fixtures, where teams were methodically clustered into zones.

The first phase of the Ranji Trophy will involve teams competing within the assigned zones. The winner of each zone will progress to the second stage of the competition, which will be a knockout scenario for the teams. 

“Cricketers don’t earn from any other domestic tournament in the country the way they earn from IPL. Ranji is the second highest paying tournament. Eight teams play the IPL, 38 teams play the Ranji. Players earn anywhere between (Rs) 10-12 lakh per Ranji season or more and some state associations also share sponsorship money. It’s a source of livelihood for many cricketers, who earn by playing the game. That is why it is important for the Ranji Trophy to happen,” a source close to the development was quoted as saying. 

Coming to the U-19 fold, BCCI has decided to organize the Vinoo Mankad Trophy along with Ranji Trophy, taking into account the opportunity it provides to the youngsters to press their claims. 

“It is important to consider it, even if it means playing in zonal territories,” said the source.

The board has carried out a rationale on these lines, and a clearer picture will spring up once the blueprint has been formulated. 

[TOI Input]