Jay Shah's 'eager wait' ends as Ranji Trophy 2021 begins

Marking its return after a two-year break due to COVID-19, India's premier red-ball competition has finally begun today.

In the first of its kind, the ongoing Ranji reason will be played in two phases. The first phase, which started today, will run till March 15. While the second leg of the tournament is scheduled post-IPL 2022.

On this momentous day, the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Jay Shah sent a tweet, asserting how vital it was to get the tournament 'back on track'.

"Have been eagerly waiting for this day as India Cricket's premier domestic tournament, the #RanjiTrophy returns. A lot of effort has gone behind the scenes to get our first-class cricket back on track, and it is now time to let red-ball take centre stage. Good luck, everyone," Jay Shah wrote in his tweet.

Talking about the format, a total of 38 teams have been divided into nine groups- eight Elite and one Plate. Each Elite group consists of four teams, whereas there are six teams in the Plate group.

When at one stage uncertainty loomed large over the tournament, Jah Shah was the one who sent relief to the domestic players by announcing the format of the season.

"The Board has decided to conduct the Ranji Trophy this season in two phases. In the first phase, we plan to complete all matches of the league stage while the knockouts will be held in June. My team is working closely to mitigate any kind of health risk caused by the pandemic, while at the same time ensuring a highly competitive red-ball cricket contest," Jay Shah said in his earlier statement.