The 91st season of the Ranji Trophy is set to commence on October 15, featuring 32 teams vying for India’s top domestic cricket title. This year’s tournament will include six teams competing for the Plate Championship, with a total of 138 matches scheduled over two phases. The first phase will take place from mid-October through late November, followed by the white-ball competitions—the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy. The Ranji Trophy will resume in January, culminating in the final by the end of February.
With India’s international focus leaning towards T20 cricket ahead of the World Cup next year, performances in this Ranji season may not lead directly to opportunities in Test cricket. The limited number of Test matches this season will likely keep the attention on shorter formats and the IPL auction set for December.
Mumbai, the 42-time champions, enter the tournament with high expectations under new captain Shardul Thakur. Following a semi-final exit last season at the hands of Vidarbha, the defending champions and Irani Cup winners, Mumbai is determined to reclaim its former glory. Retained from previous seasons, former captain Ajinkya Rahane will play a pivotal role, marking a significant change as Cheteshwar Pujara will not participate in the competition for the first time in two decades.
Key players to monitor this season include Jharkhand captain Ishan Kishan, Madhya Pradesh’s Rajat Patidar, and Bengal’s Abhimanyu Easwaran. Emerging bowlers like Vidarbha’s Harsh Dubey and Kerala’s Eden Apple Tom are generating excitement, while notable transfers include Prithvi Shaw’s move to Maharashtra. Early matchups such as Tamil Nadu taking on Jharkhand and Kerala facing Maharashtra promise to deliver competitive cricket right from the outset.
For viewers seeking to follow the action, the live telecast of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season will be available on the Star Sports Khel TV channel in India. Additionally, fans can access a live stream of the matches via the JioHotstar app and website.
