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The Covid-19 pandemic has already impacted multiple sporting events massively. Several tournaments have already been cancelled or postponed due to the pandemic and the advent of Omicron- a new Covid-19 variant; has made the situation worse. The scenario in Indian domestic cricket circuit has been the same after multiple domestic cricket tournaments have been postponed or cancelled.
Ranji Trophy was expected to start in January 2022 but due to the rising cases of Covid-19 cases, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had to postpone the tournament indefinitely. It is important to mention that Ranji Trophy did not take place in 2021 also because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
New dates
In a situation like this, it is being reported that the BCCI is currently planning to organise the Ranji Trophy. If the latest reports are to be believed then the BCCI is also planning to organise the league stage of the Ranji Trophy ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The knock-out fixtures might be played later, after the IPL gets over.
It is important to mention that the IPL is expected to start in last week of March. The mega auction is scheduled to take place on February 12 and February 13.
“Provided the covid situation stays in control, we’re keen, hopeful, and trying our best to organize the Ranji Trophy. If we start the Ranji Trophy by, say February 10, we can complete the league phase in a month, well ahead of the IPL.The knockouts can be played post the IPL,” a source was quoted while talking to the Times of India.
“We are thinking of two options: Either go back to the zonal format, to prevent teams from travelling too much, or we stick to the previous formula of playing the tournament in neutral bio-bubbles, as was originally planned,” added the source.
The possible venues
According to the source the Ranji Trophy can be held in places where “the situation is improving.”
“The Ranji can even be held in cities and towns where the situation is improving. For example, the number of cases are coming down steadily in Mumbai. Dharamshala and Pondicherry could be a good options,” the source said.
“A major reason why the Ranji Trophy needs to be held is that the supply line to India’s Test team is getting affected majorly. You need immediate replacements for Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara in theTest team. If the Ranji Trophy isn’t there, how do the national selectors know who are the players in form in red ball cricket? The BCCI too is concerned about this fact,” the source said.
