BCCI mulls new format for Ranji  

CHENNAI : How many teams will feature in Ranji Trophy next season? As things stand, it could be either 32 or 36. What will the format be? That is a question not many have an answer to. If one goes by what the technical committee of BCCI, headed by Sourav Ganguly, decided way back on April 17, it will be played in this format: four groups with three consisting of seven each and one with eight (Bihar being the new team), and 16 will advance to pre-quarterfinals.

But, here is the catch. When Ganguly & Co sat down in Kolkata, they decided the format believing that there will be no extra teams. Since then, Committee of Administrators (CoA) has decided to include Uttarakhand. With Pondicherry and five states from northeast also being cleared to feature in India’s premier domestic tournament, this season will see the number of participants move up to 36.  If there is no general consensus to field five teams from northeast, there is also an alternate plan to feature a combined team featuring players from them. 

On Monday, BCCI general manager Saba Karim and CEO Rahul Johri met the northeast task force, along with representatives from Cricket Association of Pondicherry, Uttarakhand and Bihar.It is understood that the upcoming Ranji season will see BCCI go back to the Elite and Plate format, with new entrants filling up the latter. Though the technical committee is yet to take a call on how promotion and relegation works out, it is understood that the task force has suggested that the five northeast states field a eleven on their own instead of a combined team.

An official who had attended the meeting in Mumbai on Monday said that a format with promotion and relegation to Elite and Plate divisions is being worked out.“The technical committee had originally planned for an event featuring 29 teams. With Uttarakhand and Pondicherry included, that number will go up to 31. With regards to whether northeast fields a combined team or five different teams, we should be able to finalise it in a week or two. Discussions have taken place on having Elite and Plate leagues, and that is the likeliest way forward,” the official told Express.

When Ranji was played in Elite and Plate format, there were two groups in each. Elite had nine and eight teams while Plate division had 10 teams divided into two groups. The top-two in Plate used to join six teams from Elite in the quarterfinals. But this format was scrapped beginning from the 2012-13 season. 
Pondicherry offer for Nayar

CAP has approached Mumbai stalwart Abhishek Nayar (in pic) to be player-cum-coach. However, Express understands that the he is yet to take a call, as he has other offers too. Last season, he was dropped midway through Mumbai’s Ranji campaign and subsequently became a part of Kolkata Knight Riders’ support staff. Nayar is likely to decide only next week, but has told Pondicherry to consider him only as a player.
venkatakrishna@newindianexpress.com