Representative Image: BCCI © Getty
Jay Shah, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, has revealed a plan for a two-phase conduct of the Ranji Trophy tournament in 2022. The country's premier red-ball first-class competition, postponed due to the ongoing third wave of the Coronavirus pandemic, is likely to have its league stage competed before the start of the IPL with knockouts expected to be played in June.

Cricbuzz understands that the Ranji Trophy could start between February 10 and 15.

"I write to you to apprise you all that the decks have been cleared and we are set to conduct the Ranji Trophy 2021-22 season shortly," wrote Shah in a letter to the state associations. "My team at the BCCI has worked on a structure where we will conduct the Ranji Trophy this season in two phases. The first phase will begin soon and will comprise the league matches while the knockout leg will be held in the month of June."

Shah also stated that the BCCI has been working on several models to conduct the tournament. "Ever since the decision on postponement was made, the Board was working on several models to ensure that the tournament takes place as soon as the environment is safe and conducive. As stated in my earlier communication, the hard decision of postponement was done keeping in mind the safety and wellbeing of everyone concerned," the BCCI secretary said in his mail adding, "We will convey the details of venues, groupings and the structure of the two-phased tournament.

"The daily positivity rate has now begun to decline while the recovery rate has been encouraging across India. We are now in a much better position to conduct the tournament than earlier. We will continue to have bio-secure bubbles to mitigate any potential risk. The Board is committed to providing a healthy and safe environment and seeks your support in ensuring a safe tournament for all our key stakeholders."

Cricbuzz earlier reported that the office bearers of the board met on Monday with the sole purpose of finding a way to hosting Ranji Trophy. The tournament was not held in the 2020-21 with the first wave of the pandemic hitting the country. This season's edition too had to be postponed in the wake of the rapidly evolving third wave situation.

An obvious upshot of the Ranji Trophy revival is that the chances of the IPL going to South Africa have diminished. If the BCCI can successfully conduct the Ranji Trophy at several centres, it will be a shot in the arm ahead of staging the two-month league in and around Mumbai. It's understood that the BCCI is planning to have matches in Pune as well. The concern here is the three-hour drive from Mumbai to Pune and arrangements for that are being worked out.

Changes unlikely in A+ category contract

Cricbuzz has learnt that there will not be changes to the A+ category in the Central Contracts which will be announced shortly. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah will remain in the top bracket that guarantees a retainership of Rs 7 crore. There were discussions if the likes of KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant deserve promotion but eventually the BCCI has decided to stick to the original trio. Ravindra Jadeja had missed the A+ category last year by a whisker and this time again he will fail to make the premier classification.

Rahul, Pant and Jadeja will continue to remain in the A category (Rs 5 crore retainership) from which Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajnkya Rahane, the two most experienced Test batsmen but who aren't in good nick of late, face downgrading. Same could be the fate of Hardik Pandya and Ishant Sharma but most players should retain their positions in the Grade A, B and C.