Domestic cricket season to begin from September 20

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: The domestic season of BCCI will kick off on September 20 with two separate competitions-Women U-19 and Vinoo Mankad Trophy (U-19 One Day). Both the meet would be concluded on October 18.

BCCI recently revised the domestic cricket calendar which included Ranji Trophy also. As per the new schedule the upcoming Ranji Trophy season will be played between January 5 and March 20. However two other senior men's competitions Syed Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Hazare Cricket Tournament will be held before the first-class tournament. The date for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is October 27-November 22 while the Vijay Hazare Trophy will commence on December 1 and will be continued till December 29.

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the BCCI wasn't able to organize all the domestic competitions last year but this year they will proceed with the full season of domestic cricket. The format of the Ranji trophy is already finalized by the BCCI. There would be five elite groups of six teams each and one plate group with 8 teams in Ranji Trophy. Five winners of each elite group will directly qualify for the quarter final stage while 2nd place team in each elite group and the winner of the plate group will play in pre quarter finals to decide the remaining three teams of last eight stage.

The same format would be followed in two other men's senior competitions also.

Senior Women's competition will kick off with One Day championship from October 20 and it will be followed by Women's Challenger Trophy (from November 26) and Women T20 (February 20).

Assam Cricket Association already started its preparation for the forthcoming season. At present the fitness camp of senior men and women teams is going on at the ACA stadium, Barsapara in the city.

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