Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Everything You Need to Know About the Two-Phase Format

The 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season kicks off soon, following closely after the Duleep Trophy and Irani Cup. The premier first-class cricket competition in India promises excitement, with veterans returning, new talent emerging, and old rivalries reigniting. Defending champions Mumbai, fresh from their Irani Cup win, will look to defend their title in a season filled with intriguing changes.

Split Format: Why Two Phases?

This season, the Ranji Trophy will be played in two phases, with the 20-over Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy scheduled between the two. The decision to split the Ranji season stems from multiple factors: reducing weather-related disruptions, particularly in northern India, and managing player workloads, especially for fast bowlers, which is vital for accurate cricket prediction.

In the first phase, from October to November, teams will play five league matches over five weeks. After this, the focus will shift to the white-ball tournaments, before resuming with the second phase of Ranji in January 2025. This approach allows players, particularly bowlers, more recovery time and an opportunity to manage their fitness between the two legs of the tournament, impacting future cricket predictions.

Impact on Player Selection for Border-Gavaskar Trophy

With the Ranji season split, the first leg becomes crucial for players on the fringes of national selection. Selectors will closely watch the early rounds, with an eye on the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy and India A’s shadow red-ball tour of Australia from October 31 to November 10.

Notable players like Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and B Sai Sudharsan will be looking to make an impact. After losing their central contracts, both Kishan and Iyer aim for a comeback into the Test team. Kishan has already impressed with a century in the Duleep Trophy, while Iyer has been consistent with three fifties in his last four first-class games.

Among the trio of Easwaran, Gaikwad, and Sudharsan, Easwaran seems to have the upper hand, with three centuries in his last four innings, including a brilliant 191 in the Irani Cup. His form will be key as he competes for a reserve opener's spot on the Australia tour.

Veteran Players: Pujara and Rahane Return

Although Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane were left out of India’s Test squad for the Australia tour, they will return to the Ranji Trophy this season. Both players, veterans with more than 33,000 first-class runs between them, have little left to prove domestically. However, their presence adds depth to the competition, and their passion for the game continues to inspire younger players. Pujara, who recently surpassed 20,000 first-class runs, and Rahane, likely eyeing personal milestones such as playing 100 Tests, bring invaluable experience to the tournament.

Schedule Adjustments: Why North India Gets Games Earlier

Last season saw several red-ball games disrupted by weather in the north, with fog and bad light leading to delayed starts or abandoned matches. This time, the BCCI has adjusted the schedule, starting the first phase of the tournament from October 11 to November 16, with most matches taking place in cities like Srinagar, Delhi, Dharamsala, Lucknow, Rohtak, and Dehradun. This timing is expected to reduce weather-related interruptions, giving teams like Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab better chances to complete their matches, which may influence online cricket betting outcomes.

In contrast, the second phase, which starts in January 2025, avoids scheduling games in northern regions during the peak winter season, reducing the likelihood of weather disruptions as teams compete for knockout spots, which could result in the betting odds offered by the online cricket betting sites. 

Knockout Rounds

The Ranji Trophy knockouts will begin on February 8, culminating in the final on March 2. The format changes, split season, and veteran comebacks make this one of the most anticipated Ranji seasons in recent times, with significant implications for both domestic and international cricket. 

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