The cricketing sphere in India is set to witness the commencement of the Ranji Trophy 2024, the country’s most prestigious First-class cricket championship, starting January 5. Defending champions Saurashtra will be hosting Jharkhand at Rajkot, while the most successful team in the tournament’s history, Mumbai, having clinched the title 41 times, will go head-to-head with Bihar in an away game at Patna.
A total of 38 teams will be competing for the top honors in this year’s cup, with 32 of these teams equally placed into four groups termed the Elite groups. Each of the Elite groups will consist of eight teams. The remaining six teams will be part of the Plate competition, where the battle for promotion will ensue, as the winning team of the Plate will secure a spot in the Elite competition for the following season.
In the Elite division, the competition appears fierce. Saurashtra is set to have some tough encounters in Group A against the likes of Haryana, Maharashtra, and Vidarbha. Over in Group B, Mumbai will have to bring their A-game as they meet last year’s runner-up Bengal, as well as the established sides Kerala and Andhra. Group C lines up as another battlefield with the eight-time champions Karnataka, domestic powerhouses Tamil Nadu and Punjab, the latter team walking in as the current winners of this year’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
The draws have placed Delhi in Group D along with powerful teams such as Baroda and Madhya Pradesh. Meanwhile, in the Plate tournament, Hyderabad will aim for a strong performance following their relegation in the last season.
This year, the Ranji Trophy expands its reach, spreading the matches across 53 different venues. The details of the venues for the knockout phases and the final will be announced at the conclusion of the league stage matches, which culminates in the grand finale scheduled to begin on March 10.
In a parallel narrative that intersects with this domestic juggernaut, cricket enthusiasts will also have an eye on international prospects, with stories highlighting Australia’s recent ascend to the pinnacle of Test rankings and the announcement of India facing Pakistan in New York on June 9 during the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
Dedicated followers of the Ranji Trophy will not have to miss a moment of cricket action with timings set for the matches to begin at 9:30 AM IST. The broadcasting of the games has been ensured with live TV coverage available through the Sports18 channel for selected matches. Fans preferring the digital medium can stream the games online through the JioCinema app and website, where they will be able to enjoy comprehensive coverage of the tournament from the comfort of their screens.
As the domestic cricket season unfolds, the Ranji Trophy 2024 is poised to showcase the depth and talent in Indian cricket. With teams ready to go to battle, fans across the country and beyond are setting up reminders for what promises to be a gripping season of cricketing prowess.
