Ranji Trophy to go back to home and away format

The BCCI had decided to introduce a system of neutral venues for the Ranji Trophy 2016-17 season to counter the issue of pitches being ‘doctored’ to cater to the demands of the host association.

Most of the domestic captains gave the ‘neutral venue’ idea a thumbs down during the Captains Conclave in Mumbai earlier this year, raising considerable doubts over the fate of the move. (Representative Image)

The BCCI will revert back to the tried and tested ‘home and away’ format for the Ranji Trophy when it’s technical committee under the chairmanship of Sourav Ganguly meets in Kolkata on August 2.

The technical committee meeting will be followed by a meeting of Tours and Fixtures Committee, which will decide on the dates of India’s limited overs home series against Australia in October and November.

The BCCI had decided to introduce a system of neutral venues for the Ranji Trophy 2016-17 season to counter the issue of pitches being ‘doctored’ to cater to the demands of the host association.

However, most of the domestic captains gave it a thumbs down during the Captains Conclave in Mumbai earlier this year, raising considerable doubts over the fate of the move.

“Most of the states have already made it clear that we should go back to the old format of atleast four home matches.

The last year became an ordeal for the teams as they were constantly travelling for three and half months. It made them homesick,” a senior BCCI official told PTI on condition of anonymity.

“Hopefully, chairman of technical committee Ganguly will take a call. That’s the main point on the agenda apart from discussing the Conclave report,” the official added.