2020–21 Ranji Trophy
The Ranji Trophy, awarded to the winners
Administrator(s)BCCI
Cricket formatFirst-class cricket
Tournament format(s)Round-robin then knockout
Host(s) India

The 2020–21 Ranji Trophy was scheduled to be the 87th season of the Ranji Trophy, the premier first-class cricket tournament in India.[1] Saurashtra were the defending champions.[2] However, in January 2021, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that the season had been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[3] It was the first time since the tournament's inception in the 1934–35 season that the Ranji Trophy was not held.[4]

Background

Before the COVID-19 pandemic started, a change to the format of the tournament was submitted to the BCCI, splitting the elite teams into five groups, instead of three, therefore reducing the number of matches.[5] However, in June 2020, the BCCI denied that any changes to the tournament's structure would be taking place.[6] Also in June, Rahul Dravid, the head of cricket at the National Cricket Academy, suggested that the Indian domestic season could start later or be shortened due to the pandemic.[7] On 19 July 2020, the Times of India reported that the Ranji Trophy would be the only senior domestic cricket tournament to be played in the Indian 2020–21 cricket season,[8] with teams split into five zones, North, West, South, East and Central.[9] In August 2020, the BCCI confirmed that hosting the Ranji Trophy was "a priority".[10] The following month, the BCCI warned that the domestic cricket season could be severely curtailed due to the pandemic, including the possibility of no cricket taking place.[11]

In December 2020, the BCCI confirmed the dates of the 2020–21 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy,[12] with a decision on the Ranji Trophy due after the completion of the group stage of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.[13] Originally, the tournament was scheduled to start on 1 January 2021.[14] However, the start was delayed, with the BCCI looking to begin a reduced competition from February 2021.[15] On 30 January, the BCCI cancelled the 2020–21 Ranji Trophy season,[16] but gave the go-ahead for the 2020–21 Vijay Hazare Trophy to take place.[17] An estimated 800 cricketers were impacted by the cancellation of the tournament, with each player due to be paid R140,000 per match.[18]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "India's domestic 2020-21 season: Only Ranji Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali for men?". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  2. ↑ "Saurashtra's focus on 'one goal' brings Ranji Trophy home". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  3. ↑ "No Ranji Trophy in 2020-21, but BCCI to hold domestic 50-over games for men, women, and U-19 boys". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  4. ↑ Karhadkar, Amol (30 January 2021). "No Ranji Trophy for first time in 87 years". The Hindu. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  5. ↑ "BCCI mulls change in Ranji Trophy format". SportStar. 27 May 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  6. ↑ "Not considering any change in Ranji Trophy format, says BCCI GM Cricket Operations Saba Karim". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  7. ↑ "'Don't think we are in a position to resume cricket in India' - Rahul Dravid". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  8. ↑ "BCCI prunes domestic cricket season amid Covid-19". Times of India. 19 July 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  9. ↑ "Ranji & U-19 Vinoo Mankad Trophy on BCCI's Mind in Coronavirus-hit Domestic Calendar: Report". Network18 Media and Investments Ltd. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  10. ↑ "India's 2020-21 domestic season might extend until June next year". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  11. ↑ "BCCI warns of severely curtailed 2020-21 domestic season". ESPN Cricninfo. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  12. ↑ "Prospects of Ranji Trophy fading, Syed Mushtaq Ali from January 10". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  13. ↑ "Ranji Trophy not yet ruled out, Ganguly keen". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  14. ↑ "Sourav Ganguly: India's domestic season will start from January 1". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  15. ↑ "BCCI Apex Council to discuss Ranji Trophy fate". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  16. ↑ "No Ranji Trophy this season, BCCI opts for 50-over Vijay Hazare". Indian Express. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  17. ↑ "BCCI to not hold Ranji Trophy for first time in 87 years". Hindustan Times. 30 January 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  18. ↑ "No Ranji Trophy for the first time in 87 years, players face a setback". Hindustan Times. 31 January 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
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