2020–21 Ranji Trophy
 The Ranji Trophy, awarded to the winners | |
| Dates | 13 December 2020 – 10 March 2021 |
|---|---|
| Administrator(s) | BCCI |
| Cricket format | First-class cricket |
| Tournament format(s) | Round-robin then knockout |
| Host(s) |  India |
| 2020–21 Indian domestic cricket season |
|---|
| Men |
|
| Women |
The 2020–21 Ranji Trophy is scheduled to be the 87th season of the Ranji Trophy, the premier first-class cricket tournament in India. It is scheduled to run from 13 December 2020 to 10 March 2021.[1][2] Saurashtra are the defending champions.[3]
Before the COVID-19 pandemic started, a change to the format of the tournament was submitted to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), splitting the elite teams into five groups, instead of three, therefore reducing the number of matches.[4] However, in June 2020, the BCCI denied that any changes to the tournament's structure would be taking place.[5] Also in June, Rahul Dravid, the head of cricket at the National Cricket Academy, suggested that the Indian domestic season could start later or be shortened due to the pandemic.[6] On 19 July 2020, the Times of India reported that the Ranji Trophy would be the only senior domestic cricket tournament to be played in the Indian 2020–21 cricket season,[7] with teams split into five zones, North, West, South, East and Central.[8] In August 2020, the BCCI confirmed that hosting the Ranji Trophy was "a priority".[9]
Player transfers
The following player transfers were approved ahead of the season.
| Player | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Sheldon Jackson[10] | Saurashtra | Puducherry |
References
- ^ "India's domestic 2020-21 season: Only Ranji Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali for men?". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
- ^ "Ranji Trophy likely to begin on December 13". SportStar. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
- ^ "Saurashtra's focus on 'one goal' brings Ranji Trophy home". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
- ^ "BCCI mulls change in Ranji Trophy format". SportStar. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
- ^ "Not considering any change in Ranji Trophy format, says BCCI GM Cricket Operations Saba Karim". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
- ^ "'Don't think we are in a position to resume cricket in India' - Rahul Dravid". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ "BCCI prunes domestic cricket season amid Covid-19". Times of India. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- ^ "Ranji & U-19 Vinoo Mankad Trophy on BCCI's Mind in Coronavirus-hit Domestic Calendar: Report". Network18 Media and Investments Ltd. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- ^ "India's 2020-21 domestic season might extend until June next year". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
- ^ "Sheldon Jackson quits Saurashtra for Puducherry". Cricbuzz. Retrieved 14 July 2020.