Ranji Trophy 2024: Everything you need to know about upcoming tournament

The Ranji Trophy 2024 is set to kick off on January 5, marking the return of India’s domestic cricket season. The opening day will witness a total of 16 clashes in the Elite Group. Saurashtra hold the current title, secured in a thrilling replay of the 2019-20 final against Bengal, where Jaydev Unadkat's stellar performance led them to their second Ranji crown. 

Bengal's defeat was a tough blow, prompting Manoj Tiwary to reverse his retirement decision and lead Bengal for one final season, eyeing the elusive championship. The team's last Ranji Trophy victory dates back to the 1989-90 season. With 38 teams vying for the coveted title, the competition promises excitement and anticipation as local stars gear up for a thrilling season of domestic cricket action.

When and where will Ranji Trophy 2024 start?

The upcoming Ranji season starts on January 5, with the Plate final scheduled for February 17 and the Elite final commencing on March 10. Elite matches are spread across 48 venues, while the Plate league will take place at five venues. Two distinct finals promise a riveting season of Indian cricket.

What time will Ranji Trophy 2024 matches start?

Similar to the previous season, Ranji Trophy games will commence at 9:30 AM IST, preceded by the toss at 9 AM IST. League stage matches retain a four-day format, while knock-out rounds extend to five days, promising an engaging mix of cricketing battles in the tournament.

Where to watch Ranji Trophy matches in 2024?

Viacom18 channels on TV in India, Jio Cinema will live stream the tournament on mobile phones.

Ranji Trophy 2024 Groups

Elite Group A: Haryana, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Manipur, Rajasthan, Saurashtra, Services, Vidarbha

Elite Group B: Andhra, Assam, Bengal, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh

Elite Group C: Chandigarh, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Punjab, Railways, Tamil Nadu, Tripura

Elite Group D: Baroda, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Puducherry, Uttarakhand

Plate Group: Nagaland, Hyderabad, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh

What are elite and plate categories in Ranji Trophy?

To maintain the tournament's standard, the Elite contest features 32 teams in four groups of eight. Each squad engages in seven league matches, with the top two from each group advancing to the quarter-finals. In the Elite division, the bottom two teams from all groups, considering both points and quotient, face relegation.

The Plate championship involves six teams, playing once against each other, and the top four proceed to the knockouts. Teams reaching the Plate final secure a spot in the Elite division for the subsequent season.

Which Indian International stars will grace the stage?

The upcoming five-Test series against England in January-February is set to draw attention towards players like Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara, representing Mumbai and Saurashtra, respectively. Andhra will see Hanuma Vihari leading the charge while Mayank Agarwal, the standout run-scorer of 2022-23, takes the helm for Karnataka. Kuldeep Yadav and Rinku Singh might rejoin their domestic teams, balancing national duties. Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav are geared up for Delhi and Vidarbha, respectively. Tilak Varma is set to lead Hyderabad in the Plate group when available, adding intrigue to the domestic cricket landscape.