Vidarbha are the reigning Ranji Trophy champions, whereas India A (Blues) gained the Duleep Trophy final yr.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to revert to the original format of the Duleep Trophy. Since the tournament’s inception in 1961 and barring the 2016-2019 period, the Duleep Trophy has been scheduled in a zonal format. Last year, the six original zonal teams were changed to four teams (India A, B, C, and D).
Duleep Trophy reverts to old format
But the BCCI has had a change of heart. The zonal teams (North, East, North East, Central, West, and South) will be back. This means that more domestic performers will get a chance. And the number of Test cricketers who can participate can be increased as well. The move was confirmed in March after an BCCI Apex Council meeting, and it’ll be enacted now.
Ranji Trophy 2025-26 start date
We also have a start date for the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season. Last year, the premier domestic red-ball tournament began on October 11. This time it’s October 15. Just like in 2024, the Ranji Trophy will be in two phases. The first will run from October 15 to November 19, as 5 matches will be played.
Then we’ll have the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) in December and the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) in January. Then, like last year, the Ranji Trophy will restart at the end of January. The dates for the remaining 2 group stage matches to be played and then knockout games to follow will be January 22 to February 28.
Unlike the last season, where two teams could be promoted from Plate to Elite, in the 2025-26 season only one team will be promoted. Only one team can be relegated. This will happen in the Ranji Trophy, SMAT, and VHT.
Super League
Instead of regular knockout matches, this year BCCI has introduced a Super League format for SMAT Elite and Senior Women’s T20 Trophy Elite. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super League and each of these teams will play 3 matches.
Indian domestic cricket 2025-2026 season schedule
| League Stage (Start Date) |
League Stage (End Date) |
Knockout Stage (Start Date) |
Knockout Stage (End Date) |
Venue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duleep Trophy | _ | _ | 28-Aug-25 | 15-Sep-25 | Centre of Excellence |
| Irani Cup | _ | _ | 01-Oct-25 | 05-Oct-25 | Nagpur/Neutral |
| Ranji Trophy (Elite) | 15-Oct-25 to 19-Nov-25 (Phase 1) | 22-Jan-26 to 01-Feb-26 (Phase 2) | 06-Feb-26 | 28-Feb-26 | Home/Away |
| Ranji Trophy (Plate) | 15-Oct-25 | 19-Nov-25 | 22-Jan-26 | 26-Jan-26 | Home/Away |
| SMAT (Elite) | 26-Nov-25 | 08-Dec-25 | 12-Dec-25 | 18-Dec-25 | Lucknow, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kolkata (League) Indore (Knockout) |
| SMAT (Plate) | 26-Nov-25 | 04-Dec-25 | 06-Dec-25 | 06-Dec-25 | Pune |
| VHT (Elite) | 24-Dec-25 | 08-Jan-26 | 12-Jan-26 | 18-Jan-26 | Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Jaipur, Bangalore (League) Centre of Excellence (Knockout) |
| VHT (Plate) | 24-Dec-25 | 03-Jan-26 | 06-Jan-26 | 06-Jan-26 | Rachi |
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