Ranji Trophy in two parts, no toss in CK Nayudu Trophy as BCCI set to overhaul domestic circuit

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to take another big step for the betterment of domestic cricket. Earlier this year, the board made it mandatory for the players to represent their state teams in domestic cricket when they are not injured or playing for Team India.

Recently, a report stated that the BCCI is also working on a remuneration plan to increase the fees for players playing in the Ranji Trophy. If implemented, a player can earn between INR 75 lakh to INR 1 crore annually if he has played 10 Ranji Trophy games, according to a report in Cricbuzz.

The BCCI has now decided to overhaul the domestic circuit from the 2024-25 season based on recommendations made by Secretary Jay Shah to the Apex Council. The forthcoming domestic season will get underway with red-ball cricket. On the other hand, the white-ball tournaments – Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy – will take place only after the Duleep Trophy, Irani Trophy, and the first five league games of the Ranji Trophy.

The remaining two league matches of the Ranji Trophy and the knockouts will be played towards the end of the season. Additionally, Jay Shah has also proposed that national selectors pick squads for the Duleep Trophy. So far, the zonal selection committees used to select the squads for the Duleep Trophy. The zonal selection committee consisted of representatives of each state association from the respective zone.

No toss in the CK Nayudu Trophy:

In another big decision, the BCCI has also decided to do away with the toss in the U-23 Col CK Nayudu Trophy. The visiting team will now have the option to choose between batting or bowling first.

Such a step has been taken to ensure that the home teams do not get undue advantage. The BCCI has also decided to introduce a new points system in the age-group tournament to promote balanced performance.

"The toss will be eliminated for the CK Nayudu Trophy matches. Instead, the visiting team will have the right to choose whether to bat or bowl first, " Jay Shah said.

"The CK Nayudu Trophy will implement a new points system aimed at promoting balanced performances. This includes awarding points for batting and bowling performances in the first innings, in addition to points for the first innings lead or outright win, he further said before adding:

"A review will be conducted at the end of the season to assess the effectiveness of the new points system, with a decision on whether to implement it in the Ranji Trophy for the following season."