After Ranji struggles, TNCA to revamp the top league

The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association has decided to revamp the first division league following the flop-show throughout the season by the senior team in the Ranji Trophy.

The men’s team won just one game and finished sixth out of eight teams in its group, and failed to qualify for the knockouts.

One of the biggest moves mooted is to make the first division league a four-day affair, up from the current three-day format, with the same playing conditions as the Ranji Trophy, to help players better prepare for the premier domestic competition.

TNCA President T.J. Srinivasa Raj
| Photo Credit:
File photo: R. RAGU

Another tweak that will be introduced is to play at neutral venues and on seamer-friendly surfaces. Out of the seven games that will be played before the Ranji Trophy, teams will play four matches at a neutral venue mostly at Gojan College.

“From next year, the TNCA have also decided to prepare pacer friendly pitches. We want to ensure our batters are equipped to play fast bowlers and in away conditions during the season,” said TNCA President T.J. Srinivasa Raj.

One major criticism levelled at the quality of the top-flight league is that home teams tend to prepare rank-turners to maximise their chances of securing an outright victory.

This has meant that batters, having grown up on such wickets, struggle to play against the moving ball. Also, preparing such strips that tilt the balance heavily towards the tweakers meant that even spinners struggled on more sporting surfaces to make an impact in the Ranji Trophy.

The TNCA has also decided to end the policy of having outstation professionals in the first division league. “By doing this, we would give chances to 12 more local players. Usually the professionals do the heavy lifting for teams and our players are missing a chance to be responsible for the team’s success,” he added.

Apart from the changes, the pre-season invitational Buchi Babu tournament this year might not see outstation teams taking part. Instead, 60 players picked from the first division will be split across four teams and play a tournament among themselves.

From this 30 probables will be picked and will have a pre-season camp outside Tamil Nadu in September to prepare for the premier domestic tournament.

Meanwhile, the TNPL this year will be truncated to keep a lid on costs, with more double headers and will be played at one or two venues. Usually, the annual T20 competition is held for a month, but this year, it will be reduced by a week to 18 days and will be played in two venues outside Chennai.

The TNCA also plans to start a Women’s TNPL with four teams. It will be held after the conclusion of the men’s TNPL.