Ranji Trophy 2025: Start & end date, squads, venue, match schedules, ticket price, and more

Ranji Trophy 2025 is officially known as the IDFC FIRST Bank Ranji Trophy, marks the 90th edition of India's premier domestic first-class cricket tournament. It is scheduled from October 11, 2024, to February 26, 2025. This season features 38 teams competing in a format that includes both an Elite and a Plate division. The tournament is organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and consists of a round-robin stage followed by knockout rounds.

Ranji Trophy 2025: Tournament Structure

The tournament is structured into two main categories: the Elite and the Plate divisions.

Divisions and Groups

• Elite Division: Comprises 32 teams divided into four groups (A, B, C, D) with eight teams each.
• Plate Division: Consists of six teams competing in a round-robin format.

Each team in the Elite category will play against the other seven teams in their group once. The top two teams from each group will progress to the quarter-finals. The Plate division's top four teams will advance to the semi-finals, with the finalists earning promotion to the Elite division for the following season.

Ranji Trophy 2025: Points System

The points system for the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 has been designed to encourage competitive play:

• Win: 6 points
• Bonus Point: Additional point for winning by an innings or 10 wickets
• Draw: 3 points for the team with a first innings lead; 1 point for the opposing team
• Tie: Both teams receive 3 points
• Loss: No points awarded

Ranji Trophy 2025: Match Schedules on January 23, 2025

The tournament will follow a four-day format, with matches starting at 9:30 AM IST and the toss scheduled for 9:00 AM IST. Here are the matches for January 23, 2025 listed below:

Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Live Streaming Options

Fans can enjoy the Ranji Trophy matches through various platforms:

• JioCinema will provide live streaming of all matches for free on its app and website.
• The matches will also be available on Sports18 Networks.

Key Features of Ranji Trophy 2024-25

Here are the required key features of Ranji Trophy 2024-25 listed below:

Extended Duration

Unlike previous seasons typically held over three months, this season has been extended to six months. The tournament is divided into windows, allowing each team to play five league matches during the initial phase before advancing to knockout rounds.

Relegation and Promotion

The relegation and promotion system remains intact from previous seasons. The bottom two teams from the Elite division will go down to the Plate division based on how they perform. At the same time, the top teams from the Plate division will move up to the Elite division.

Significant Changes

This season will have two phases, giving time for other tournaments like the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy to happen between the Ranji Trophy matches. This change is made to help players take part in more events and keep the competition strong in all formats.

Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Team Details

Plate Teams

• Nagaland
• Mizoram
• Sikkim
• Manipur
• Arunachal Pradesh
• Goa

Elite Teams

• Andhra
• Assam
• Baroda
• Bengal
• Bihar
• Chandigarh
• Chhattisgarh
• Delhi
• Gujarat
• Haryana
• Himachal Pradesh
• Hyderabad
• Jammu & Kashmir
• Jharkhand
• Karnataka
• Kerala
• Madhya Pradesh
• Maharashtra
• Meghalaya
• Mumbai
• Odisha
• Puducherry
• Punjab
• Railways
• Rajasthan
• Saurashtra
• Services
• Tamil Nadu
• Tripura
• Uttar Pradesh
• Uttarakhand
• Vidarbha

Ranji Trophy 2024-25 FAQs

1. What is the format of the Ranji Trophy?

Answer: The tournament features a league format followed by knockout stages. Each team plays others in their group once, with top performers advancing.

2. How are teams selected for promotion or relegation?

Answer: Promotion is granted to top teams from the Plate division, while relegation affects the bottom two teams from the Elite division based on overall performance metrics.

3. When does the tournament take place?

Answer: The Ranji Trophy runs from October 11, 2024, until March 2025, with matches scheduled across various venues in India.

4. Which teams are participating in the Ranji Trophy?

Answer: The tournament includes notable teams like Mumbai, Baroda, and Karnataka among others in the Elite division, while states like Manipur and Goa compete in the Plate division.

5. Who is the founder of the Ranji Trophy

Answer: The Ranji Trophy was founded by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 1934, with the trophy donated by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala.

6. Who is the first winner of the Ranji Trophy?

Answer: The first winner of the Ranji Trophy was the Bombay cricket team, which won the inaugural edition held during the 1934-35 season.

7. How to apply for the Ranji Trophy?

Answer: To apply for participation in the Ranji Trophy, players typically need to be part of a state or regional cricket association that competes in the tournament. Interested players should contact their respective cricket associations for specific application procedures and eligibility criteria.

8. Who won the Ranji Trophy the most times?

Answer: The Mumbai cricket team holds the record for the most Ranji Trophy wins, having claimed the title 42 times as of January 2025.

9. What is the age limit for the Ranji Trophy?

Answer: There is no specific age limit set for players participating in the Ranji Trophy. However, players must meet eligibility criteria established by their respective state associations and BCCI.

10. Did Sachin play Ranji?

Answer: Yes, Sachin Tendulkar played in the Ranji Trophy. He represented Mumbai and had a prolific domestic career before his international success.

11. Did Dhoni play in the Ranji Trophy?

Answer: Yes, Mahendra Singh Dhoni played in the Ranji Trophy, representing Jharkhand. He made significant contributions to his state team during his domestic career.

12. Will Virat play in the Ranji Trophy?

Answer: Yes, Virat Kohli is set to make his long-awaited return for Delhi. His first game back is scheduled for January 30 against Railways.

13. What are the ticket prices for the Ranji Trophy 2025?

Answer: The Ranji Trophy 2025 is currently underway, and one notable aspect of this tournament is that entry to matches is free. Fans do not need to purchase tickets to attend the games, as all venues allow free entry to encourage attendance and support for domestic cricket in India.

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