BCCI makes massive rule changes in Indian cricket a night before

Ranji Trophy 2024-25

The Ranji Trophy is India’s premier domestic first-class cricket championship organized annually by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The teams representing regional and state cricket associations participate.

BCCI has constantly changed the tournament rules over the years, helping it keep its competitive edge.

This year too there have been major changes brought in by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the 2024-25 season. Such changes are paramount to help carry cricket forward.

From use of saliva on the ball being considered ball tampering now, mid- innings retirements, boundary scoring rules and lot many changes have been put into action.

Today the first-round matches of the Ranji Trophy season for 2024-25 season begins.

Let’s have a look at the rule changes being discussed among cricket circles.

Applying saliva to the ball

During Covid, ICC banned the use of saliva on the ball. While this was done initially to avoid the spread of the Pandemic then, the rule was continued in international cricket today.

Even though this is true in domestic cricket too, due to muscle memory, sometimes bowlers or fielders unintentionally mistakenly use saliva on the ball. In such times, the field umpire takes the ball back and uses tissue wipes before resuming the game.

BCCI has suggested a ball change immediately on such offenses now.

Furthermore, the team responsible for this breach will face penalties.

BCCI believes this may help in reducing the cases of ball tampering.

Mid-innings retirements

Sometimes a batsman with no physical injury reason takes himself out of the game. “Retired hurt” to give an unfair advantage to his team by sending a better batsman to face the opposition. It could be up the run rate or for any reason.

Remember Ashwin doing the same in IPL.

BCCI has termed it unfair as the retired batsman can later come back to bat as per rules.

So, now the rule states that any batter who will retire for reasons other than injury, illness, or unavoidable cause will be considered “out”. The batter will not be allowed to bat again in the same innings.

Boundary Rule

On an overthrow going to the boundary will be considered only 4 runs If the batters abort a run after crossing each other.

Points allotment in Col. CK Nayudu Trophy

Points allocation in the U23 tournament has also seen minor corrections.

The Ranji Trophy is to be played in two halves

Now, the Ranji season will be played in two halves. This is to help players cope with the rigors of the long-format games and keep themselves fit enough to play the other tournaments, like the Vijay Hazare and Syed Mustaq Ali tournaments, which will now be held between the two Ranji halves.

History of the Ranji Trophy

The Ranji Trophy championship was founded the championship in 1934 and is played across the nation in various stadiums.

38 teams from various states and regions participate in this premier domestic first-class tournament.

When the tournament was founded, it was named “the Cricket Championship of India”.

The tournament was renamed to Indian legend Ranjitsinhji who was the first Indian to play international cricket.

The Mumbai Cricket team is the most successful team in the tournament with 42 Titles and has given players like Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Dileep Vengsarkar, and many international legends in the game.

Having won the 2023-24 season, Mumbai Cricket is currently the defending champion.

Players from this premier tournament go on to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and other domestic tournaments organized by the BCCI, with an aim to get a chance to play for the National team.

Format of the game

Round-robin matches are four-day matches, while knockout matches are played for five days. Throughout its history, if there is no outright result in a Ranji Trophy knock-out match, the team leading after the first innings is the winner.

Some trending news on the current season

• Shreyas Iyer is named in the Mumbai squad for the first two matches of the upcoming Ranji Trophy 2024-25.
• Ishan Kishan will be making a comeback to cricket and will be leading Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy season.
• Suryakumar Yadav to play the 2nd Ranji Trophy match for Mumbai against Maharashtra.
• Ruturaj Gaikwad to captain Maharashtra team.