When will the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 Start

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When will the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 Start

Get ready for a thrilling cricket season as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially unveiled the schedule for the upcoming domestic cricket season 2023-24. Alongside the prestigious Ranji Trophy, fans can look forward to action-packed tournaments such as the Duleep Trophy, Deodhar Trophy, and Irani Cup. Let’s dive into the details of this exciting lineup.

Kicking off the domestic season with a bang, the Duleep Trophy will commence on June 28 and conclude on July 16. It will set the stage for intense battles among the top cricketing talents in India. Following a short break, cricket enthusiasts can then indulge in the thrilling Deodhar Trophy, scheduled to take place from July 24 to August 4. This tournament promises fierce competition and remarkable displays of skill.

Also Read : ODI World Cup 2023 Squads, Qualifiers, Schedule, Rules

One of the most anticipated events in the domestic cricket calendar, the Irani Cup, will showcase a clash between the defending Ranji Champions Saurashtra and the Rest of India. Mark your calendars for October 1-5, as these two powerhouses lock horns in a battle for supremacy.

For fans who crave the fast-paced excitement of T20 cricket, the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 competition will captivate audiences from October 16 to November 6. Following this thrilling spectacle, the Vijay Hazare Trophy, a 50-over championship, will take center stage from November 23 to December 15. Divided into two divisions, Elite and Plate, these white-ball tournaments cater to the unique strengths and capabilities of different teams.

Now, let’s delve into the format of the illustrious Ranji Trophy, which showcases the finest domestic cricket talent in India. This prestigious tournament features both an Elite division and a Plate division, ensuring a fair and competitive playing field.

The Elite division comprises four groups, each consisting of eight teams. In this division, teams have the opportunity to engage in up to 10 matches. This includes seven league games, followed by the thrilling knockout stages of quarterfinals, semifinals, and the ultimate grand finale. The top two teams from each group in the Elite division secure direct entry into the quarterfinals, setting the stage for enthralling clashes. The quarterfinal matchups are determined as follows: A1 vs. C2, B1 vs. D2, C1 vs. A2, and D1 vs. B2.

Meanwhile, the Plate division consists of a single group comprising six teams. The top four teams from the Plate division will compete in the semifinals, following the traditional format of No. 1 vs. No. 4 and No. 2 vs. No. 3. It’s worth noting that the teams reaching the final in the Plate division will earn promotion to the Elite Group for the subsequent 2024-25 season.

However, not all teams can secure their spot in the Elite division. The bottom two teams from all the combined Elite groups (A/B/C/D & E) face the challenging prospect of relegation to the Plate Group. Determined by factors such as points, bonus points, wins, and quotient, these teams must battle to maintain their elite status.

Now, let’s explore how BCCI divided the teams into the Elite and Plate groups, ensuring a fair and competitive environment for all participants. According to a report in Cricbuzz, the BCCI considered several parameters during the division process.

Firstly, the Points Table from the 2022-23 season played a crucial role in determining the team rankings. The performance of each team, including winners, runners-up, semifinal losers 1 & 2, and quarterfinal losers 1,

2, 3, and 4, was meticulously evaluated based on points, bonus points, number of wins, and quotient.

Next, the remaining teams were grouped and ranked based on their performance in terms of points, bonus points, wins, and quotient during the league stage. This comprehensive evaluation ensured a fair representation of teams in both divisions.

In the Elite division, Group A comprises Saurashtra, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Vidarbha, Haryana, Services, and Manipur. Group B consists of Bengal, Andhra, Mumbai, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, and Bihar. Group C features Karnataka, Punjab, Railways, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Gujarat, Tripura, and Chandigarh. Lastly, Group D includes Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Baroda, Delhi, Odisha, Pondicherry, and Jammu and Kashmir.

The Plate Group consists of Nagaland, Hyderabad, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh. The winners and runners-up from the Plate Group earn promotion to Elite Group A and B, respectively, ensuring an opportunity for growth and advancement.

Get ready for an exhilarating season of domestic cricket as these talented teams battle it out for supremacy. With a fair format, fierce competition, and some of the best cricketing talents on display, the BCCI domestic cricket season 2023-24 is set to be an unforgettable experience for fans worldwide. Mark your calendars and get ready to witness cricketing excellence in action!