37 teams to feature in Ranji Trophy, Bihar returns after 15 years

In a complete overhaul of the domestic structure, the BCCI has decided to add 8 new teams and have given readmission to Bihar taking the total number of sides taking part in this year’s Ranji Trophy to 37. The domestic season will kickstart with the Duleep Trophy in August.

In a complete overhaul of the domestic structure, the BCCI has decided to add 8 new teams and have given readmission to Bihar taking the total number of sides taking part in this year’s Ranji Trophy to 37. The domestic season will kickstart with the Duleep Trophy in August.

The 37 teams will play over 2000 matches this domestic season – the highest ever. The eight new teams Arunachal, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Puducherry, Sikkim and Uttrakhand along with Bihar, which is making a comeback into the domestic season after 15 years will be placed in Plate group.

The other teams will be distributed in three Elite Groups – A (9 teams), B (9 teams) and C (10 teams). Five teams from Elite A and Elite B will qualify for the quarterfinals while two teams from Elite C will make the cut. The last position for the quarterfinals is reserved for the Plate Group topper, which will be promoted to the Elite C from next season.

The top two teams that qualify for the quarter-finals from Elite Group C will be promoted to Elite Group A & B in the next season.

Keeping the ODI World Cup in mind, the Vijay Hazare Trophy (one-day) has been preponed to September and will be followed by the Ranji Trophy in December.