Sunil Gavaskar criticises the BCCI for splitting the Ranji Trophy and says the domestic calendar gives too much priority to the IPL auction
New Delhi: Sunil Gavaskar has questioned the BCCI’s decision to divide the Ranji Trophy into two phases for the third consecutive season. The former India captain believes the schedule interrupts the rhythm of first-class cricket and gives too much importance to the IPL auction.
Gavaskar raised the issue in his latest Sportstar column. He argued that Indian domestic cricket should not change its structure mainly to accommodate the commercial demands surrounding the IPL.
His criticism comes as the BCCI prepares for another packed domestic season involving red-ball and white-ball competitions.
Ranji Trophy Will Take a Long Break
The BCCI’s 2026-27 schedule places the Ranji Trophy in two separate windows.
The first phase of the Elite competition will run from October 11 to November 5, 2026. Players will then shift their attention to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
The second Ranji phase will begin on January 17, 2027. The Elite knockout stage will start on February 9, with the final scheduled for March 3.
The BCCI has retained the two-phase structure to manage the domestic calendar and provide players with recovery time. The board also highlighted weather and scheduling considerations while announcing the season.
However, Gavaskar believes the extended interruption creates a different problem for first-class players.
Gavaskar Says the Break Hurts Red-Ball Cricket
Gavaskar argued that players need continuity to perform well in the longer format.
He said the break between the two Ranji phases can affect a player’s rhythm and momentum. A batter or bowler may spend weeks away from first-class cricket before returning to the competition.
The former India captain also questioned why the BCCI does not use a similar split format for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
His argument centres on the timing of the IPL auction. The T20 competition provides an important platform for players hoping to attract IPL franchises, so the tournament naturally carries extra attention before the auction.
Gavaskar believes this creates an imbalance.
IPL Auction Timing Raises Questions
The 2026-27 domestic schedule places the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy from November 14 to December 6, followed by the Vijay Hazare Trophy from December 14 to January 8.
That sequence gives white-ball cricket a prominent place during the period when IPL franchises assess domestic performers.
Gavaskar questioned whether the Ranji Trophy should make way for limited-overs competitions simply because the IPL auction follows the T20 tournament.
He suggested that the BCCI could instead move the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy earlier in the season.
Gavaskar’s Alternative: Start T20 Tournament Earlier
Gavaskar proposed holding the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in September.
His logic remains straightforward. IPL scouts would still have enough time to identify promising players before the auction, even if the tournament finished several weeks earlier.
He believes franchises would not suddenly forget players who perform well simply because the auction takes place later.
This approach could also allow the Ranji Trophy to maintain a more continuous schedule and reduce the long gap between its two phases.
Why Ranji Trophy Continuity Matters
The Ranji Trophy remains India’s premier first-class competition and an important route to Test cricket.
Players use the tournament to develop skills that require time and patience. Batters learn to build long innings, bowlers work through extended spells and teams learn how to manage matches over several days.
Gavaskar believes Indian cricket needs to protect that pathway.
The former India captain has also stressed that many players who eventually represent India in Tests first prove themselves in domestic red-ball cricket.
A fragmented calendar, he fears, could weaken that development process if the sport continues to prioritise short-format opportunities.
BCCI Has a Much Larger Domestic Calendar
The BCCI’s 2026-27 domestic season will feature 1,788 matches across men’s and women’s cricket and multiple age groups. The schedule includes the Duleep Trophy, Irani Cup, Ranji Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy and several youth competitions.
The Duleep Trophy opened the season on August 23, while the Irani Cup will take place from October 1 to 5.
The BCCI has also retained the two-phase structure for the Col. C.K. Nayudu Trophy, while it has made other changes to youth competitions.
The packed calendar shows the difficulty of fitting every competition into one season. At the same time, it explains why Gavaskar wants the board to decide which tournaments deserve priority.
Gavaskar Wants Ranji Trophy to Regain Its Place
Gavaskar’s larger argument goes beyond one season’s fixture list.
He wants the Ranji Trophy to regain what he describes as its rightful importance in Indian cricket. For him, first-class cricket should remain central to the country’s development system rather than become a competition that the calendar pushes aside whenever another tournament takes priority.
His criticism also raises a bigger question for Indian cricket: Should the domestic calendar serve the development of red-ball players first, or should it adapt around the commercial demands of the IPL?
The BCCI has created an enormous domestic programme for 2026-27. Now, the challenge lies in maintaining the right balance between formats.
For Gavaskar, the answer is clear. India needs to protect the Ranji Trophy’s importance because a strong first-class system ultimately strengthens the country’s Test cricket pipeline.
