BCCI announces the schedule for 2015/16 domestic cricket season

BCCI announces the schedule for 2015/16 domestic cricket season: In the present time if we tune in to any media news, we only get surrounded by the news about the horrendous after effects of the IPL spot fixing saga verdict which has gripped our cricket crazy nation and world cricket in absolute malice and defame. So, finally there is some respite for the Indian fans as today the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the much awaited domestic fixtures for the 2015/16 cricket season. This cricket season would eclipse its colours for around 6 months and 2100 days of lively action between October of this year to the march of the next year. The hectic schedule would encompass as many as 900 matches featuring senior, junior and women domestic cricket tournaments at senior and junior levels respectively.

The schedule is well planned keeping in mind the advent of the Under- 19 World cup and World T20 next year so that all the players get sufficient opportunities to create chances for their selection in the coveted tournaments.

This year around BCCI has enacted several changes for the upliftment of the game in the nation. This year will mark the beginning of the under 19 Junior challenger series compromising of three teams so that Junior pros can stake their claims for Under 19 World Cup spots which is scheduled to be played in January of 2016. From this year, the Senior Men ODI and T20 Tournaments will also get a new format wherein there would be 4 teams divided on group basis than inter-zonal basis like the previous years. The players in the teams would be selected on the basis of previous years performances in the respective tournaments which would spice up the things on the domestic level as well.

The Deodhar trophy will be played on a 3 team format basis and will now comprise of the champion team of the Vijay Hazare trophy while 2 other teams will be selected by the Senior National selectors.

We are well aware about the possible ill-effects of weather which plays a spoil sport during the cold months of December and January in the north. So, this time the schedule of the fixtures will be prepared keeping that thing in mind in order to sustain the competency of the domestic tournaments.

There is also some good news for the Women’s cricket fans and players as BCCI has introduced 2 new tournaments for them. Now, the women cricket domestic calendar would include an Inter-state and then Inter Zonal One day Under-23 tournament and a 3-day Senior Women Inter Zonal tournament.

As for the Ranji trophy which is the most prestigious tournament of the country, the cricket fans would be glued to the matches from the month of October wherein 48 league matches will be played and the tournament will finish in February 2016.

The Honorary Secretary of the BCCI, Mr. Anurag Thakur was quoted on bcci.tv saying, “This year we have re structured the domestic schedule based on our international commitments and ensure that all our players will get an opportunity to participate and perform, thereby improving their chances of being selected for our National teams. We are releasing the schedule well in advance so that our state associations and teams have enough time to plan and prepare for the forthcoming season. We do recognise that domestic cricket is of paramount importance and BCCI will continuously strive to improve the standards and ensure that the foundations of Indian cricket are further strengthened.”