New Delhi, India’s premier national first-class cricket tournament, the Ranji Trophy, being held from 1934-35, will not be held in the 2020-21 domestic season. This will be the first time in 86 years that this domestic cricket tournament will not be held. In a letter sent to all its affiliated state associations on 29 January, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is firm on the decision not to hold the Ranji Trophy this season.
The BCCI has decided to hold the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy tournament and the Senior Women’s One Day tournament after the completion of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament.
A state association president has said that the BCCI’s indications clearly indicate that he is not keen on organizing the Ranji Trophy.
He told the reporters, “From the first day, it was decided that the BCCI will not host the Ranji Trophy this season. It is sad and unfortunate that the Ranji Trophy will not be played. It is a piece of sad news and a sad day for Indian cricket. ”
The chairman quoted BCCI secretary Jay Shah’s letter as saying, “Even BCCI secretary Jay Shah has not used the word ‘Ranji Trophy’ in his letter. But he spoke to the state associations over the phone That the Ranji Trophy will not be held this season. ”
The BCCI had sought views from all its affiliated state associations on whether to conduct the Vijay Hazare Trophy or the Ranji Trophy. The BCCI, however, did not make this ‘poll’ public, so no one knows how many of its partners wanted to host the Ranji Trophy.
Jai Shah said in his letter, “It was very important for us to ensure that there is women’s cricket, and I am very happy to tell you that we will be going on to host the Vijay Hazare Trophy as well as the senior women’s one-day tournament. And the Vinoo Maqand U-19 Trophy will be organized under it. ”
Shah said tournaments, including dates and venues, will be given later. With the 2021 Indian Premier League starting in April, the BCCI has only a two-month window to host the domestic tournament.
