Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy to begin from January 10

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is all set to kickstart the domestic season with Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy from January 10. In an email to all the concerned state units, the BCCI secretary Jay Shah stated that domestic T20 tournament will commence from January 10 with the final scheduled on January 31. 

"After having gone through your responses and in accordance with the feedback received, I am pleased to inform you that BCCI is planning to start the domestic season 2020-21 with the scheduling of the T20 tournament for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy," - BCCI Secretary Jay Shah wrote to all the state units.

The participating teams have been requested to assemble in their respective bio-bubbles on January 2. According to the reports, the competition could be played in six bio-bubbles. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) have expressed their interest in hosting the competition. 

"By Saturday, January 2, 2021, teams will have to assemble in their respective hub. From Sunday, January 10, 2021, the tournament will start and the final will be played on January 31, 2021." - 

Earlier this month, the board had written to all the affiliated state cricket associations seeking their preferred choice of tournaments. Majority of them opted for the limited-overs tournament - Syed Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Hazare Trophy. The fate of the Ranji Trophy could well be determined after the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy depending on how things pan out.