Sports · Cricket · 15 hrs ago
Ranji Trophy season opens with 19 first-round matches
The 2026-27 Ranji Trophy, India’s leading domestic first-class cricket tournament, begins on Sunday, October 11.
The opening round is scheduled to feature 19 matches across the country, with 38 teams in the competition.
Defending champions Jammu and Kashmir host Madhya Pradesh in Srinagar as they begin their title defence.
The teams are divided into four Elite groups and a Plate group.
Other opening fixtures include Karnataka against Andhra, Bengal against Delhi, and Mumbai against Chandigarh.
Several players who represent India, including KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Mohammed Shami, are set to play for their state teams.
The tournament is part of a busy domestic season, with limited-overs competitions scheduled between its phases.
Arunachal Pradesh may forfeit its Plate match against Nagaland because of a dispute within its cricket association.
The 2026-27 Ranji Trophy is scheduled to begin on October 11, with 19 first-round matches listed across India.
Defending champions Jammu and Kashmir open their title defence against Madhya Pradesh in Srinagar.
The competition includes four Elite groups and a Plate group, with 38 teams described as competing in one report.
Several India players are listed for the opening round, including KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan.
A legal dispute within the Arunachal Cricket Association could prevent Arunachal Pradesh from playing its Plate match against Nagaland.
Reports differ on the tournament format and totals: Wisden lists 119 Elite matches, while Hindustan Times says 138 matches are scheduled overall.
- Who
- Thirty-eight teams are listed, including defending champions Jammu and Kashmir.
- What
- The 2026-27 Ranji Trophy, India's domestic first-class cricket tournament, begins its first round.
- When
- October 11, 2026.
- Where
- Across India; Jammu and Kashmir host Madhya Pradesh in Srinagar.
- Why
- Teams compete for India's premier domestic red-ball title.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
The first round is scheduled to begin with 19 matches, though Arunachal Pradesh may forfeit its match against Nagaland.
Wisden says the league phase resumes after a mid-season interval.
Wisden says the knockout phase begins with four quarterfinals.
Wisden lists the semifinals as scheduled to begin.
Wisden lists the final for February 27 and says the tournament runs through March 2.
- First-round start
- October 11, 2026
- First-round schedule
- 19 matches are listed; Arunachal Pradesh's match against Nagaland may not be played.
- Defending champion
- Jammu and Kashmir, playing Madhya Pradesh in Srinagar
- Groups
- Four Elite groups and one Plate group
- Tournament totals
- Wisden lists 119 Elite matches; Hindustan Times reports 138 matches scheduled overall.
- Possible forfeiture
- Arunachal Pradesh may forfeit its match against Nagaland amid a legal dispute between two factions of the Arunachal Cricket Association.
Sources
Ranji Trophy 2026-27 LIVE streaming info: When, where to watch India’s domestic red-ball tournament?
Ranji Trophy 2026/27, live streaming and TV channels: Where to watch live and match timings for Ranji Trophy
Ranji Trophy 2026-27 first round – full list of fixtures, venues, timings
Ranji Trophy 2026/27: Full schedule, squads, groups, venues and all you need to know
Ranji Trophy 2026-27 all you need to know: Round 1 fixtures, groups, and key India players in action
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