BCCI Announces Key Changes for Upcoming Domestic Cricket Tournaments

BCCI Apex Council Meeting Outcomes

On June 14, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) convened an Apex Council meeting where they established several new policies and set dates for significant domestic leagues. The prestigious Ranji Trophy for the 2025-26 season will be conducted in two segments: the first from October 15 to October 19, followed by the second phase from February 6 to February 28.

Revised Promotion and Relegation Rules

Changes have been made to the promotion and relegation system not only for the Ranji Trophy but also for all domestic multi-day tournaments across various age groups. Previously, two teams were promoted and two relegated at the end of the tournaments. However, the new rule stipulates that only one team will be promoted and one relegated.

This decision was influenced by Meghalaya's performance, where they lost all seven matches in the Ranji Trophy Elite division last year. The BCCI had previously expanded the tournament to include nine teams, primarily from the Northeast, but officials believe this has compromised the quality of the competition.

Meghalaya's fate will hinge on their performance; if they finish at the bottom of the Elite group, they will drop to the Plate division for the next season (2026-27). A note from the BCCI stated, "For all multi-day men's tournaments (senior and junior), one team will be promoted and one team will be relegated for the 2026-27 season grouping."

Updates on Duleep Trophy and SMAT

The Duleep Trophy will revert to a zonal format, with teams selected by the Zonal Selection Committee. This tournament is scheduled to take place from August 28 to September 15, while the Irani Cup is set for October 1 to 5.

Additionally, the Plate division will be reinstated in all one-day competitions, including the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Instead of a knockout format, teams will now play additional Super League matches before the finals. The top teams from groups A and B will face off in the final, while the bottom six from the previous season will form the Plate Group. The SMAT is planned for November 26 to December 18.

Moreover, for all white-ball tournaments, the net run rate will serve as the tie-breaker when teams are tied on points and wins, replacing the previous head-to-head method.

Proposed Venues for India vs New Zealand Series

India is set to host New Zealand for a white-ball series featuring three ODIs and five T20 matches. The proposed venues include Hyderabad, Rajkot, Indore, Nagpur, Ranchi, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, and Thiruvananthapuram.

Proposed Schedule for India vs New Zealand Series