The Ranji Trophy was once the pulse of Indian cricket. Now, it runs the risk of becoming a postscript to it. With the start of the 91st season on October 15, one wonders if anyone is actually watching. With IPL trials, World Cup preparations, and a few Tests, India’s top red-ball tournament is fighting for significance. But amidst all the din of franchises and white-ball splendour, it is the Ranji Trophy which is the last bastion of the soul of cricket, the place where players pursue not fame, but self-respect.
This year’s Ranji Trophy, staged over 138 matches, includes 32 teams, with Mumbai again expected to be the measure of the rest, or at least to have a go at it. But the timing is odd: there are five rounds to go before the T20 season, and two after it. The Syed Mushtaq Ali T20s and Vijay Hazare Trophy conveniently cut across the Ranji programme as white-ball interruptions to a red-ball novel. India’s next Test series isn’t until late 2026, after November, meaning that, even if somebody scores 900 runs or takes 60 wickets, there’s no door to knock on as yet.
When Tradition Meets Scheduling Chaos
The Ranji Trophy now feels like a relic politely squeezed between T20 tournaments. While the two-phase structure keeps players active, it also kills momentum. Teams barely settle before switching formats. Batters adapt from seam-friendly October mornings to flat January tracks, then back again. For bowlers, rhythm evaporates mid-season. The BCCI may claim it’s about “workload balance,” but the truth is simpler: the domestic calendar now bends to the IPL’s shadow, not India’s red-ball future.
Motivation Without Reward
For veterans like Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara (who’s now retired), Ranji once meant redemption. Now, it’s routine. Rahane still grinds away, hoping for a comeback that selectors have likely filed under “closed case.” For younger names like Ishan Kishan or Rajat Patidar, the motivation isn’t India caps, it’s reputation repair. The Ranji is now a place to remind people they still exist. And yet, the cricket is fierce precisely because pride, not opportunity, drives it.
Stats That Still Tell the Truth
Last season’s top wicket-taker was Harsh Dubey, who took 69 wickets, which was 25 better than anyone else, which is proof positive that the championship still enforces excellence, even if no one is in the stadium watching. Danish Malewar of Vidarbha made 783 runs in his rookie year, fifth in the list. These are not flukes. These are things in dark corners. And Mumbai has not won the trophy since 2023, despite 42 victories. Shardul Thakur is the new captain, who bears the money heritage and the burden as well.
When the Trophy Defined the Future
Once upon a time, they were the currency of cricket. Ranji numbers. Wasim Jaffer’s 1,260 runs in the 2008-09 season ring a bell? Or Pankaj Singh’s 50-wicket spectacles, which had the selectors thinking about who needed consistency? That was when domestic dominance meant something. Even 700 runs or 50 wickets may not get a mention in a selector’s notebook these days.
So, is the Ranji Trophy losing meaning? Maybe in headlines, yes. But for India’s next generation, it’s still the only place to learn patience, resilience, and the slow burn of red-ball mastery. Even if it doesn’t promise instant rewards, it remains the domestic game’s moral compass, the long-format education that short-format fame can’t replace.
Key Takeaway
In a cricket world chasing instant glory, the Ranji Trophy still values endurance over entertainment, and that’s why it still matters.
FAQs
- Why is the Ranji Trophy played in two phases this season?
To accommodate the Syed Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Hazare Trophies, India’s T20 and one-day tournaments.
- Who are the key players to watch this Ranji season?
Ishan Kishan, Rajat Patidar, Harsh Dubey, and Danish Malewar headline the season’s talent list.
- Why does the Ranji Trophy matter if there’s no immediate Test window?
Because it remains the ultimate test of technique and temperament qualities, every future India Test cricketer must master.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.
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