The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has finalised the schedule for the 2026-27 domestic cricket season, with the Ranji Trophy, India’s most prestigious first-class tournament, set to get underway on October 11.
The 2025-26 edition of the Ranji Trophy concluded in late February 2026, with Jammu and Kashmir clinching their maiden Ranji title by defeating Karnataka in the final, a historic achievement for the northern state. The upcoming 2026-27 campaign will now look to build on that drama, with another competitive season on the horizon.
Organised by the BCCI, the Ranji Trophy is an annual domestic first-class championship in which teams representing the various member associations of the board take part. In the 2025-26 season, the competition was contested by 38 teams, including at least one from each of the 28 states and four union territories.
The tournament, as in recent seasons, is expected to follow a two-phase format. The 32 Elite teams are divided into four groups of eight, with the top two from each group advancing to the quarter-finals, while six Plate teams compete in a round-robin format.
The BCCI has also maintained its promotion and relegation policy, with one team to be promoted and one relegated between the Elite and Plate groups for the 2026-27 season grouping.
The domestic season is once again expected to conclude ahead of the IPL window, ensuring players are well-prepared for franchise cricket. With the national Test calendar set to intensify in 2027, performances in the Ranji Trophy will be closely monitored by selectors looking to strengthen India’s red-ball depth.
