BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has given assurance to the state associations about the postponed Ranji Trophy 2021-22. The board on Tuesday announced that the upcoming season of Ranji Trophy, as well as the Under-25 CK Nayudu Trophy and the Senior Women’s T20 league, have been postponed due to the surge in Covid-19 cases in the country.
The Ranji Trophy, which was canceled last year for the first time in 85 years, was scheduled to begin on January 13 at multiple venues across six cities. However, the tournament now stands deferred.
Sourav Ganguly took it upon himself to provide confidence to the state associations that the BCCI “will do everything” to conduct the Ranji Trophy and other remaining domestic tournaments this season. He also stated that the postponed tournament will be held later on.
“The BCCI would like to reassure (you) that it will do everything to restart the domestic season once the Covid situation is under control. We are committed to holding the remaining tournaments for this season. The Board will come back to you with a revised plan,” Ganguly said in a mail to the presidents and secretaries of the state affiliates, as seen by Cricbuzz.
Further, the former India captain explained that the concerning covid-19 situation in India forced the board to hold off the tournaments. 6 Bengal cricketers and their assistant coach had tested positive for the virus; Mumbai allrounder Shivam Dube and the team’s video analyst had also tested positive prior to the team’s departure.
“As you are aware, we had to put on hold the current ongoing domestic season due to the worsening Covid situation. The Covid cases are rapidly increasing and there were multiple positive cases in many teams. It posed an imminent threat to the health and safety of players, officials and all others related to the running of the tournament,” Ganguly further wrote.
Jaydev Unadkat’s Saurashtra are the defending champions having won the title in the 2019-20 season.
