Ranji Trophy 2024-25 Season Begins October 11

The 90th edition of the Ranji Trophy, India's premier red-ball cricket tournament, will commence on October 11, featuring 38 teams divided into an Elite category of 32 teams and a Plate category of 6 teams. This season introduces a new two-phase format, allowing teams to play five league matches from October to November, followed by a break for white-ball tournaments, before resuming with knockout stages in January. The tournament will conclude with the final scheduled between February 26 and March 2, 2025. Defending champions Mumbai, who recently won the Irani Cup, are set to compete, while Meghalaya joins the Elite group after a strong previous season. The new structure aims to address player concerns regarding scheduling and recovery times, increasing gaps between matches. The tournament promises intense competition among notable teams and players, with key captains including Ruturaj Gaikwad and Mayank Agarwal leading their respective sides.