<p class="title">The inclusion of all North Eastern states has forced BCCI to schedule an unprecedented 2,017 domestic matches, which many fear would lead to a logistical nightmare.</p>.<p class="bodytext">A record 37 teams will take part in the Ranji Trophy this year (starting November 1) with an addition of nine new teams and formation of a ‘Plate’ Group.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The addition of Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Uttarakhand and Bihar has led to an exponential increase in the number of matches from senior men, women to U-16 level (boys and girls).</p>.<p class="bodytext">While there will be nine teams each in Elite Group A and B, there will be 10 teams in Group C.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The notable addition of the nine teams that will form the Plate Group this season are Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Puducherry, Sikkim & Uttarakhand.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The top five teams from Elite Group A and B combined, top two from Elite Group C and the top team from Plate will qualify for the knockout quarterfinals.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The quarterfinalist from Plate Group will be promoted to Elite Group C while top two from Elite C will be promoted to Elite A and B respectively.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The domestic calendar starts with the senior women’s Challenger Trophy from August 13 to 20.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The men’s calendar starts with Duleep Trophy (day/night in pink ball) from August 17 to September 9. It will be followed by Vijay Hazare (National One-Dayers) from September 19 to October 20 (31 days) with 160 matches slotted for the tournament.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Ranji Trophy will start on November 1 and end on February 6, 2019 with another 160 matches.</p>.<p class="bodytext">There will be another 140 games slotted under National T20 championship for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.</p>.<p class="bodytext">While many in BCCI wanted the North Eastern states to be integrated through a robust junior programme, the Lodha Reforms on having NE states playing Ranji Trophy has left everyone in a tight corner.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“It will be a logistical nightmare. We will have overworked match officials like umpires and match referees, who wouldn’t get time to recoup after one round. They will be constantly on the move,” a senior BCCI official told PTI on Wednesday.</p>
<p class="title">The inclusion of all North Eastern states has forced BCCI to schedule an unprecedented 2,017 domestic matches, which many fear would lead to a logistical nightmare.</p>.<p class="bodytext">A record 37 teams will take part in the Ranji Trophy this year (starting November 1) with an addition of nine new teams and formation of a ‘Plate’ Group.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The addition of Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Uttarakhand and Bihar has led to an exponential increase in the number of matches from senior men, women to U-16 level (boys and girls).</p>.<p class="bodytext">While there will be nine teams each in Elite Group A and B, there will be 10 teams in Group C.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The notable addition of the nine teams that will form the Plate Group this season are Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Puducherry, Sikkim & Uttarakhand.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The top five teams from Elite Group A and B combined, top two from Elite Group C and the top team from Plate will qualify for the knockout quarterfinals.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The quarterfinalist from Plate Group will be promoted to Elite Group C while top two from Elite C will be promoted to Elite A and B respectively.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The domestic calendar starts with the senior women’s Challenger Trophy from August 13 to 20.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The men’s calendar starts with Duleep Trophy (day/night in pink ball) from August 17 to September 9. It will be followed by Vijay Hazare (National One-Dayers) from September 19 to October 20 (31 days) with 160 matches slotted for the tournament.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Ranji Trophy will start on November 1 and end on February 6, 2019 with another 160 matches.</p>.<p class="bodytext">There will be another 140 games slotted under National T20 championship for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.</p>.<p class="bodytext">While many in BCCI wanted the North Eastern states to be integrated through a robust junior programme, the Lodha Reforms on having NE states playing Ranji Trophy has left everyone in a tight corner.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“It will be a logistical nightmare. We will have overworked match officials like umpires and match referees, who wouldn’t get time to recoup after one round. They will be constantly on the move,” a senior BCCI official told PTI on Wednesday.</p>