Ranji Trophy’s return is set to be delayed as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) hierarchy has made up its mind to postpone the tournament due to the third wave of COVID-19.
“BCCI does not want to compromise the safety of the players, support staff, match officials and other participants involved and has decided to put the three tournaments on hold till further notice. The BCCI will continue to assess the situation and take a call on the start of the tournaments accordingly,” said BCCI secretary Jay Shah in a media release on Tuesday.
Besides the Ranji Trophy, which was scheduled to begin on January 13, the BCCI has also postponed the C.K. Nayudu Trophy (under-25) (January 14) and the senior women’s T20 League (next month).
The Hindu understands that the BCCI office-bearers, after holding discussions on Tuesday, also decided to suspend the ongoing Cooch Behar (under-19) Trophy. It effectively means that domestic cricket has been indefinitely put on hold.
The BCCI hierarchy is hoping to start the Ranji by early next month should the Omicron wave subside by mid-month.
