The cricket landscape is set to undergo a significant transformation. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced plans to revamp the domestic cricket structure. One major change is the reinstatement of the Duleep Trophy to its original format. Meanwhile, the Ranji Trophy, a premier domestic competition, is scheduled to commence on October 15 and will be played in two phases, concluding on February 28.
In 2018-19, the BCCI introduced nine new teams to the Ranji Trophy, including those from the north-east region. This move has had a profound impact on the standard of cricket at the domestic level. Last season, Meghalaya suffered a disappointing campaign, losing all seven of their matches in the Elite Division. The new changes will be applied to all age-group cricket tournaments featuring the red ball.
The Ranji Trophy’s 2025-26 season will kick off on October 15, with the first phase running until November 19. The knockout matches will take place from February 6 to 28. Following the final in 2026, one team will be promoted to the next season, while another will face relegation.
Changes to the Duleep Trophy
The Duleep Trophy underwent a format change last season, with teams renamed India A, India B, India C, and India D. However, the tournament will now revert to its zonal team structure. This means the upcoming season will feature teams like India West, India East, India South, India North, India Central, and India North East. The Duleep Trophy is set to start on August 28, while the women’s inter-zonal multi-day trophy will conclude on April 3, 2026.
Other domestic tournaments, such as the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy, will replace their knockout stages with a super league stage. The Vijay Hazare Trophy, Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy, and Men’s Under-23 State-A Trophy will adopt a 4-elite group and 1-plate group model. These changes aim to enhance the competitiveness and structure of domestic cricket in India.