Vijay Hazare should follow Ranji Trophy format: captains, coaches

The Vijay Hazare Trophy one-day matches could be played in similar format as the Ranji Trophy, consisting of three divisions, from next season if the BCCI accepts the proposal it received on Tuesday at the of captains and coaches conclave held here.

“They (Ranji captains and coaches) were keen for the one-day matches to be played in the Ranji Trophy format. But it’s tough. Right now it is zonal and they want how the Ranji Trophy is played...like crisscrossing (the country). It’s tough logistically,” said BCCI’s technical committee chairman Anil Kumble after the one-day meeting.

The technical committee did an overhaul of the Ranji Trophy format at the end of last season by abolishing elite and plate divisions and bringing in a three-tier system, featuring all teams from this season.

But the one-day matches are being held under the elite and plate division format. Kumble said the general consensus was that the newly introduced format for Ranji Trophy is good but most of the teams wanted a longer gap in between the matches.
“They want a longer break in between two games, which will extend the season. They want a four-day gap (instead of the three-day one at present). It is the preferred option. But then we will have to look at a combination where some matches have three-day gaps and some have four days,” said Kumble.

Some teams also requested for a neutral venue during the knockout stages of Ranji Trophy, said the former India captain, adding that the technical committee would discuss these suggestions when it meets in a couple of weeks’ time.

Bengal team coach WV Raman said: “They mooted that. I don’t think it will make any difference, honestly. If you are a side that is good enough to get into the later part of the tournament, you should be able to adapt to all conditions. In the knockout stage, teams will be tested in terms of temperament and adaptability. The only thing is if the first innings result is not achieved then that side (hosts) should be docked,” said Raman.

The former Test opener further said he had suggested playing the knockout stage of the one-day games under lights. “I suggested that the one-day knockouts at least should be played on day-night basis. We have seen it the last few years that things swing highly in favour of the team winning the toss,” said Raman. “There is also a logistical problem of not many venues having two good grounds. It will be good if the guys play under the lights and get used to it, in case they scale the ladder,” he added.

Raman was also of the view that the captain and coach of the visiting team should be allowed to assess the pitch instead of the prevailing norm of the match referee giving the report.

Hyderabad coach Sunil Joshi said one of the suggestions was to give an additional point to the team that imposes follow-on, as it would encourage more outright victories.

However, both Kulkarni and Raman rejected this saying it should come from within (the team) to win the matches. “It has to come from the team to want to play to win. Rules cannot be framed in such a manner. If the basic attitude doesn’t prevail it doesn’t matter. A side’s mindset has to be different,” Raman said.