Ranji games may be played at neutral venues

The BCCI's technical committee, headed by former India captain Sourav Ganguly, decided to have all Ranji matches from the coming season at neutral venues while inter-zonal system of the Duleep Trophy will be replaced by four all-India level teams picked by the selection panel.

BCCI's technical committee headed by Sourav Ganguly held its meeting in Bengaluru on Sunday. BCCI president Anurag Thakur also attended the meeting.

The technical committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India has recommended two changes for the 2016-17 domestic season.

The Sourav Ganguly-led committee has floated the idea of hosting all Ranji Trophy matches at neutral venues in a bid to "make domestic cricket more competitive and rule out the issues related to preparing specific wickets for home teams, as well as to expose players to play in different conditions."

A revamp of the Duleep Trophy from a knock-out tournament into a day-night four-team round-robin affair has also been suggested. The teams will be picked by the national selectors.

The Duleep Trophy was not held last year as the national team had heavy T20 international commitments. But with India scheduled to play a slew of Test matches at home this season, including a possible day-night Test, the tournament has acquired added importance.

The recommendations will now be tabled at the BCCI Working Committee.

The Committee also cleared India ‘A’ tour of Australia in August for two four-day matches and a tri-series.

Also, in the National Cricket Academy committee meeting that was held, members were updated about the ongoing zonal camps in various age groups and umpires’ refresher course. The physiotherapist and trainers course to be conducted next month was also briefed about.