Ranji Trophy returns: Jay Shah says time to let red ball take centre-stage

The scretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Jay Shah, on Thursday celebrated the return of domestic cricket in India after the Ranji Trophy resumed. The red-ball tournament is being conducted after two years amid the easing COVID-19 situation in the country. 

Shah said that a lot of hard work went behind the scenes to get Ranji Trophy back on track.

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“Have been eagerly waiting for this day as India Cricket’s premier domestic tournament, the #RanjiTrophy returns. A lot of effort has gone behind the scenes to get our first-class cricket back on track, and it is now time to let red-ball take centre stage. Good luck, everyone,” Jay Shah tweeted.

Hailed as the backbone of Indian cricket, the Ranji Trophy will see 64 matches played across 62 days in two phases. The pre-Indian Premier League (IPL) phase would run from February 10 to March 15 and then matches will take place from May 30 to June 26. 

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“It is great that red ball cricket is starting. Players have suffered and lost a lot in the last two years both financially and skill-wise. They all are looking forward to the challenge,” said Delhi coach Raj Kumar Sharma after the team’s first training session on Monday. 

Four teams participate in each of the eight Elite Groups, from which one team will qualify for the quarterfinal stages. The lowest-ranked of the eight qualified teams will have to play a pre-quarterfinal with the top team from the Plate Group. 

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While the Ranji Trophy is a platform for the domestic players to prove their mettle, it will also be a chance for veterans like Cheteshwas Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane to make a strong statment amid criticism. The two clash in the opening fixture when defending champions Saurashtra and record 41-time champions Mumbai. 

Both , Rahane and Pujara, will need to make instant impact with the Test squad of Sri Lanka series expected to be announced soon.

Nine bio-bubbles have been created across nine venues in the country and the players had to quarantine for five days, leaving them only two days of training for the first round beginning on Thursday.