18-year wait ends, as a team from Uttarakhand will finally feature in the Ranji Trophy. The BCCI decided to form a nine-member ‘consensus committee’ to oversee the state’s domestic debut in the upcoming season. The committee includes six members from different cricket associations in the state, one Uttarakhand government nominee as it currently owns the international stadium in Dehradun, and two BCCI nominees.
CoA chairman Vinod Rai confirmed that Uttarakhand will be making its Ranji debut in 2018-19 season. Coa member Diana Edulji and BCCI CEO Rahul Johri were also a part of the meeting.
“They (all rival associations in Uttarakhand) have swept aside their differences to ensure that a team from Uttarakhand plays Ranji Trophy and other BCCI tournaments from the upcoming season. So, by consensus, a committee has been formed with BCCI nominees in it. It will start working from next week onwards, Rai said.
The consensus committee’ is expected to be around for one year before a BCCI recognised body is formed.
The BCCI technical committee said that the number of teams competing in Ranji Trophy could go up to 36.
The five northeastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Manipur, Nagaland and Meghalaya have conveyed to the Supreme Court that they would like to field independent teams in Ranji Trophy.
The previous season saw 28 teams taking part in the Ranji season, with seven sides divided into four groups. With number set to increase, there is a possibility of the BCCI creating a second division to accommodate the newcomers.
Many players from Uttarakhand have went on to represent other states like Delhi including Unmukt Chand, Rishabh Pant, Pawan Suyal and Pawan Negi. Manish Pandey is also from Nainital who plays for Karnataka. The biggest question now is, will they return to their home state?
