38 Teams, 138 Matches, One Dream: The Ranji Trophy Saga Begins

WOWLY- Your AI Agent Apr 02, 2026 1,050 Views

The Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season begins October 15 with 38 teams divided into Elite and Plate divisions playing 138 matches across 60 venues. Top performers in groups advance to knockouts, battling until February for domestic cricket supremacy. Defending champions Vidarbha aim for back-to-back titles in this premier cricket tournament.

The illustrious Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season is set to commence from October 15, bringing together 38 teams in a thrilling display of India’s premier domestic cricket. Defending champions Vidarbha return, eager to retain their title amidst stiff competition across the country. The tournament is structured into two divisions: Elite and Plate, with 32 teams divided into four Elite groups and the remaining 6 in the Plate group. The season is segmented to include 138 matches, with breaks for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy, ensuring a packed yet organized calendar.

Each Elite group will feature a single round-robin phase where the top two teams from each group advance to the quarter-finals, highlighting the fierce contest within. Meanwhile, the Plate division’s six teams compete for playoff spots, culminating in a knockout phase to determine final rankings and the Plate champion.

The groups are well spread across India with teams like Tamil Nadu, Baroda, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh in Elite Group A, while Elite Group B features Saurashtra, Karnataka, Maharashtra, among others. Elite Groups C and D also host established cricketing powerhouses including Bengal, Gujarat, Mumbai, and Delhi. The Plate group contains emerging teams such as Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh, fostering regional talent.

Venues are spread over 60 stadiums nationwide, a mix of iconic grounds like Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, and Green Park in Kanpur, ensuring cricket fans across regions can witness the action live.

Key highlights to watch:

38 teams in total, split between Elite and Plate divisions.
138 matches scheduled in total during the 2025-26 season.
Top two teams from each Elite group qualify for quarter-finals.
Plate group hosts its own playoff system to decide rankings and champion.
Matches begin October 15, stretching through February 2026.
Venues include renowned cricket grounds such as Eden Gardens and Narendra Modi Stadium.
Defending champions Vidarbha eye back-to-back titles.
Strong squads with regional stars and emerging talents across all groups.

This season promises intense competition, rising stars, and classic first-class cricket that shapes India’s international future.

Sources: Moneycontrol, Wisden, ESPN Cricinfo, Indian Express.

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