All You Need To Know About Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Format, Teams, Elite And Plate Groups Explained

Cricket lovers in India are ready to witness another thrilling season of Ranji Trophy, India’s most prestigious first-class cricket competition. The Ranji Trophy, established in 1934 and named after the legendary cricketer Ranjitsinhji, continues to be a cornerstone of Indian cricket, offering a platform for the country’s top state teams to battle for supremacy. As the 2024-25 season marks the 90th edition of this historic tournament, expectations are high, and cricket fans are eager to see emerging talents rise through the ranks, potentially earning national team call-ups.

The new season kicks off on October 11, 2024, and will run until March 2025, with teams competing for the honor of being crowned champions of India’s premier domestic competition. As we delve deeper into the upcoming season, there’s much to explore—from the revamped tournament structure to the heightened stakes for promotion and relegation. Here’s what you need to know about the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy.

90th Edition of Ranji Trophy: A Milestone in Indian Cricket

The 90th edition of the Ranji Trophy marks a major milestone in Indian cricket history, symbolizing the enduring legacy of the tournament and its crucial role in developing cricketing talent for the nation. Over the decades, the Ranji Trophy has evolved from a local competition to a prestigious event that often acts as the stepping stone for cricketers aspiring to represent India on the international stage. Many cricket legends, including Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sunil Gavaskar, and Kapil Dev, have graced the Ranji Trophy before making their mark at the international level.

The 2024-25 season promises to be just as competitive, with 38 teams participating, divided into two main categories: the Elite Group and the Plate Group. With defending champions Mumbai looking to add to their record 42 titles and several other teams vying for a chance at glory, the stakes are higher than ever. Additionally, this season’s restructured format is expected to add more excitement, competition, and opportunities for both established and up-and-coming players.

New Tournament Structure: A Season in Two Phases

To accommodate India’s busy domestic and international cricket schedule, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced a two-phase structure for the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy. This innovative approach aims to tackle potential weather disruptions and allow for more flexibility throughout the season. The tournament will begin with five league matches, followed by a break for India’s premier white-ball competitions—the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (T20) and the Vijay Hazare Trophy (50-over). After this break, the final two league fixtures will resume in January 2025, leading to the knockout phase starting on February 8, 2025.

Here’s a detailed look at the schedule:

October 11, 2024 – November 13, 2024: League Phase 1 – Five league matches per team.
November 2024 – December 2024: White-Ball Competitions Break – Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy.
January 23, 2025 – February 7, 2025: League Phase 2 – Final two league matches.
February 8, 2025 – March 2, 2025: Knockouts, with the final scheduled from February 26 to March 2, 2025.

This phased approach ensures that players get ample time to participate in various formats, maintaining a balance between the demands of T20, one-day, and first-class cricket. The new structure also adds to the excitement, as teams will be looking to build momentum in the league phase before returning after the break for the crucial knockout rounds.

Elite and Plate Categories: Competition with a Purpose

The Ranji Trophy has long prided itself on offering every region of India an opportunity to compete at the highest level of domestic cricket. To ensure competitive balance, the tournament is divided into two main categories—the Elite Group and the Plate Group.

1. Elite Group

The Elite Group features the most successful and competitive state teams in the country. This category consists of 32 teams, divided into four groups of eight. Teams in each group will play against each other once, and the top two teams from each group will qualify for the quarter-finals. The competition in the Elite Group is fierce, with every match carrying significant weight as teams vie for qualification and avoid relegation to the Plate Group.

2. Plate Group

The Plate Group, on the other hand, consists of six teams that may not have had as much success as the Elite Group sides. However, this category serves a crucial role in the development of players and teams. The Plate Group provides a competitive environment for emerging teams to showcase their skills, and the top two teams will have the chance to be promoted to the Elite Group for the 2025-26 season.

This year’s promotion and relegation system adds an extra layer of intensity to the tournament. The two finalists from the Plate Group will earn promotion to the Elite category, while the bottom two teams from all Elite groups will be relegated. This mechanism encourages continuous improvement, ensuring that even teams at the lower levels are motivated to perform well and earn their place in the Elite competition.

Groups for the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy

The BCCI has released the groupings for this season’s Ranji Trophy, and each group promises to be highly competitive. Here’s a breakdown of the groups:

Elite Category Groups:

Group A: Baroda, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Mumbai, Odisha, Services, Tripura
Group B: Andhra, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Hyderabad, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Vidarbha
Group C: Bengal, Bihar, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh
Group D: Assam, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Jharkhand, Railways, Saurashtra, Tamil Nadu

Plate Category Teams:

Plate Group: Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim

Each group is packed with talent, and fans can expect some intense matches as teams battle for a place in the knockout rounds. Group C, featuring heavyweights like Karnataka, Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh, is expected to be particularly competitive, while Group A will see traditional powerhouse Mumbai aiming to defend their title.

Mumbai Eyes Another Title, While New Teams Look to Rise

Mumbai enters the 2024-25 season as the defending champions, having secured their record 42nd Ranji Trophy title in the previous edition by defeating Vidarbha in the final. Mumbai’s dominance in the tournament’s history is unparalleled, and they will once again be the team to beat this season. With a combination of experienced campaigners and rising stars, Mumbai will look to add yet another title to their illustrious record.

However, the competition is tougher than ever. Teams like Karnataka, Saurashtra, and Madhya Pradesh have consistently been strong performers in recent years and will be looking to challenge Mumbai’s dominance. Additionally, the Plate Group offers opportunities for teams like Goa and Nagaland to rise through the ranks and make a statement.

Talent Identification and the Road to National Selection

One of the most critical aspects of the Ranji Trophy is its role in identifying and grooming future stars for the Indian national team. Over the years, several cricketers have used stellar performances in the Ranji Trophy as a springboard to international stardom. For example, players like Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mohammed Siraj first made their mark in the Ranji Trophy before going on to represent India on the global stage.

This season will be no different, with the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy serving as a vital platform for selectors to identify talent for future international tours. For young players across India, this is a chance to showcase their skills, prove their mettle, and earn a shot at donning the Indian jersey.

A Season of High Stakes and High Drama

The 2024-25 Ranji Trophy promises to be a season of high stakes, high drama, and intense competition. With a revamped format, the introduction of a promotion and relegation system, and the ever-present pressure of national selection, the tournament will keep fans and players alike on the edge of their seats. As the cricketing action unfolds, cricket enthusiasts can expect to witness not only exciting matches but also the rise of the next generation of Indian cricket stars.

With the opening match scheduled for October 11, 2024, cricket fans across India can look forward to a thrilling season of first-class cricket. Whether it’s the quest for supremacy among the Elite Group teams or the development of rising talents in the Plate Group, the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy is set to be another unforgettable chapter in the history of Indian domestic cricket.

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