BCCI announced that India’s premier domestic cricket championship Ranji Trophy, which was also played during World War 2, is cancelled for the first time in over 87 years. The Ranji Trophy was first held in 1934. It could be accurately said that the COVID-19 pandemic halted the Ranji Trophy’s 87-year journey when even a monumental war in the history of mankind could not do that.
First time in Indian cricket history since 1934, the inception of the #RanjiTrophy, the tournament will not be conducted this season. Even during the WW2 (1940-45), India was the only country who conducted their national cricket championships, while the rest had to cancel theirs.
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) January 31, 2021
According to reports, BCCI president and former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly and Jay Shah wanted to give Indian first-class cricketers the opportunity to take to the field and compete in the Ranji trophy. However, the 2-month long bio-bubble for the already truncated Ranji Trophy wasn’t financially feasible.
Meanwhile, in a letter to the state cricket units, Jay Shah wrote that the board plans to host 3 important tournaments. Instead of the Ranji Trophy, BCCI this year be conducting the Senior Women’s One Day tournament, the Vinoo Mankad Trophy Under-19, and the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, India’s domestic cricket began quite late in January this year with the 20-over tournament, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Due to the loss of time, the board found it difficult to chalk out the cricket calendar which would factor in all the precautions needed for the safe conduct of the matches.
Shah in his letter also wrote, “As you are aware, we have lost a lot of time and consequently, it has been difficult to plan the cricket calendar on account of the precautions that are necessary for the safe conduct of the games.”
According to reports, BCCI will be following the same bio-bubble and groupings they had for the Mushtaq Ali Trophy for the Hazare Trophy that is scheduled to begin next month.
Although the players will not be able to test and showcase their mettle on the field, they would be financially compensated. The Ranji Trophy pays one of the highest match fees in a domestic tournament in India (Approximately Rs. 1.5 lakh for one game), and thus it is of importance that players across 38 teams who were to play the Ranji trophy are appropriately compensated by the Central body.
BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal in an interview said, “Rather than having one tournament, we thought to have events in different categories. That way we could have something for junior cricket and women considering the importance of Women’s World Cup and U-19 World Cup next year.”
Dhumal also gave an update on the preparations for the England series which is to begin on 5th February are in full swing.
“The preparations for the England tour of India which commences on 5th February onwards, are in full swing and there is a lot of excitement around it after the historic tour of Australia where, as you are aware, the team had performed miraculously under extremely trying circumstances,” Dhumal said.
Also read: IPL 2021 Retention Highlights: Complete List of Retained and Released Players of 8 franchises
