Captains' thoughts stir BCCI pot

Suggestions varying from home and away ties and uncovered pitches to widening the gap between two games and a league format for Duleep Trophy were put forward at the annual Ranji Trophy captains’ and coaches’ conclave organised by the BCCI here on Thursday.

The matter of uncovered pitches to make it more challenging for domestic batsmen in order to tune them up for tougher challenges occupied the maximum time during the discussions.

The home and away format for Ranji Trophy was suggested as currently the team which fails to qualify for the knockout round remains idle for a long period after playing six to seven games. “In the same season, it would be better if, for example, Kerala take on Tamil Nadu at home and then go away to the latter’s territory and play the return leg.

Each team would be assured of more number of games,” said one captain who attended the meeting.

There were also suggestions to use Kookaburra balls in Duleep Trophy and to give a four-day gap between two Ranji games by increasing the existing three-day gap.

Former India cricketer WV Raman, who attended the meeting as coach of Bengal, said the meeting was ‘extremely interesting.

“This meeting has taken place after 3-4 years. It was very encouraging to see the BCCI president (N Srinivasan), secretary (Sanjay Jagdale) and CAO (Prof Ratnakar Shetty) taking so much interest in the discussions,” said the former left-handed batsman.

Raman said he suggested a total change in the points format for Ranji Trophy.

“My suggestion was to encourage the captains to go for outright result by offering three points extra for attempting an outright victory after taking the lead even if it ended on the losing side. I suggested seven points for an outright victory plus the existing bonus (if it is by an innings or by ten wickets). If the team loses in attempting an outright win after taking the lead, then the rivals can be given four points and the losers three,” Raman said.