The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is all set to take another big step towards improving domestic cricket. Earlier this year, the board made it mandatory for players to represent their state teams in domestic cricket when they are not injured or playing for Team India.

Recently, a report stated that the BCCI is also working on a remuneration plan to increase the fees of players playing in the Ranji Trophy. If implemented, a player can earn between INR 75 lakh and INR 1 crore annually if he has played 10 Ranji Trophy games, according to a Cricbuzz report.

The BCCI has now decided to reform the domestic circuit from the 2024-25 season as per the recommendations made by secretary Jay Shah to the Apex Council. The upcoming domestic season will begin with red ball cricket. On the other hand, the white-ball tournaments (Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy) will be held only after the Duleep Trophy, Irani Trophy and the first five league matches of the Ranji Trophy.

The remaining two Ranji Trophy league matches and the playoffs will be played towards the end of the season. Furthermore, Jay Shah also proposed that the national selectors choose teams for the Duleep Trophy. Until now, zonal selection committees used to select the teams for the Duleep Trophy. The zonal selection committee consisted of representatives of each state association of the respective zone.

No draw in the CK Nayudu Trophy:

In another big decision, the BCCI has also decided to eliminate the draw in the Col CK Nayudu Under-23 Trophy. The visiting team will now have the option to choose between batting or bowling first.

This measure has been taken to ensure that home teams do not gain an undue advantage. The BCCI has also decided to introduce a new points system in the age group tournament to promote balanced performance.

“The toss will be eliminated for CK Nayudu Trophy matches. Instead, the visiting team will have the right to choose whether to bat or bowl first,” Jay Shah said.

“The CK Nayudu Trophy will implement a new points system aimed at promoting balanced performances. This includes awarding points for batting and bowling performances in the first innings, as well as points for first innings lead or outright victory. He further said before adding:

“A review will be carried out at the end of the season to assess the effectiveness of the new points system, and a decision will be made whether it will be implemented in the Ranji Trophy for the following season.”