The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a full-fledged domestic season for 2021/22. The Ranji Trophy will return to the calendar after a one-year gap. The BCCI had received flak from various quarters for its indifference towards the domestic season. Many, especially who predominantly play red-ball cricketers, were hit hard by the pandemic.
The Ranji Trophy will kick off from 16 November 2021, and the final will be played in February. Saurashtra won the last edition of the tournament, defeating Bengal in the final. The Ranji Trophy will be followed by the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
The season starts with the Women’s One-Day League on 21 September, followed by the Women’s Challenger Trophy next month.
Senior Men will kick off the proceedings with the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The tournament will clash with ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. With the mega auction of IPL 2022 scheduled for December, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy will be crucial for domestic players to further their contention.