2021-22 Ranji season in danger in wake of rising Omicron cases

After being canceled for the 2020-21 season, in which the BCCI could only host the limited-over tournaments, Ranji Trophy’s fate for the current year is in question once again in the face of the rise in Omicron cases around the country. On Monday, India registered a total of 37,379 new cases, the highest reported figure since September.

Speaking exclusively to Cricket.com, BCCI Treasurer Arun Dhumal stated that the Board is contemplating a solution for hosting the Ranji Trophy but the officials are on their toes to go forward. “The way cases are increasing and with a danger of the third wave, we are just contemplating (Cancellation/Postponement). We are watching the situation now and will take a call very soon,” Dhumal told Cricket.com, on being asked about the possibility of cancellation.

Another source in the know of things at the BCCI further added that a postponement seems very unlikely because of the time constraint. 

“Ranji Trophy is to end on March 20 and with April 2 being formalized internally as the start of the 10-team IPL, a postponement will not have any time left to finish the Ranji Trophy. There is no chance of shortening it either, with the tournament already being reduced drastically from the norm,” the source added. 

In August, the BCCI had released that the 2021-22 season of the Ranji Trophy was scheduled to be played between January 5 to March 20. Kolkata had received the hosting rights for the knockout matches and the final.