BCCI will conduct 2,017 domestic ties !

New Delhi, July 18

The inclusion of all Northeastern states has forced the Indian cricket board (BCCI) to schedule an unprecedented 2,017 domestic matches, which many fear would lead to a logistical nightmare. 

A record 37 teams will take part in the Ranji Trophy this year, starting from November 1, with the addition of nine new teams and the formation of a ‘Plate’ Group. The addition of Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Uttarakhand, Bihar has led to an exponential increase in the number of matches.

While there will be nine teams each in Group A and B, Group C will have 10 teams. The Plate Group will comprise all new teams. The top two teams from each of the four groups will qualify for quarterfinals.

“It will be a logistical nightmare. We will have overworked match officials, who wouldn’t get time to recoup after each round. They will be constantly on the move,” said a senior BCCI official. — PTI

Striking numbers 

• 160  Number of Ranji Trophy matches this year 
• 160  Number of Vijay Hazare matches, the domestic one-day tournament  
• 140  Number of T20 match es for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 
• 302  Number of matches in U-23 category, both days and one-dayers
• 286  Number of matches in U-19 category across both formats 
• 295  Number of matches for senior women. In the U-23 category, another 292 matches will ne held.