Ranji Reveals Cricket’s Changing Landscape, New Champions, Underdog Stories, and the Path to Test Cricket
The winds of change are blowing in domestic cricket. Since the Ranji Trophy resumed after the pandemic, the champions are Madhya Pradesh (2021–22), Saurashtra (2022–23), Mumbai (2023–24), and Vidarbha (2024–25). Even more heartening is how every season now seems to throw up a new underdog story. If it was Kerala that made the final last year, it is Jammu and Kashmir this year.
This diversification of success is a healthy sign for Indian cricket. For decades, the Ranji Trophy was dominated by a handful of traditional powerhouses—Mumbai, Karnataka, Delhi. Their dominance reflected the concentration of cricketing infrastructure, coaching, and opportunities in the metros. But the post-pandemic era tells a different story. New champions, new finalists, new heroes are emerging from unexpected quarters.
The Jammu and Kashmir Story
J&K’s showing is built on the blood, sweat, and tears of players, but one must also acknowledge the BCCI’s focus on building infrastructure. The situation in J&K is still a work-in-progress, but it is much better than earlier. The board’s investment in facilities across the country is beginning to pay dividends.
The team’s journey to the semi-finals is remarkable. A region known more for its breathtaking beauty than its cricketing prowess has produced a side that can compete with the best. The players have overcome not just sporting challenges but also the everyday difficulties of life in a conflict zone. Their success is a testament to human spirit and the unifying power of sport.
The Rise of T20 Leagues
In parallel, the rise of T20 leagues means talented players are getting more opportunities—opportunities once limited to the metros. The Indian Premier League and other T20 competitions have created a parallel economy in cricket, where players can earn good money and gain exposure even if they don’t make it to the national team.
This has had a spillover effect on domestic cricket. Players who sharpen their skills in the high-pressure environment of T20 leagues bring that experience back to the Ranji Trophy. They are more confident, more professional, and better equipped to handle big moments. The gap between domestic and international cricket is narrowing.
The Value of the Right Professional
We are also seeing the value that the right professional can bring to a fledgling team. Former India and Mumbai opener Wasim Jaffer played a key role in helping Vidarbha level up. His experience, his understanding of the game, and his ability to mentor young players transformed a team that had historically been also-rans into champions.
Coach Chandrakant Pandit set a system in place for Madhya Pradesh. His disciplined approach, attention to detail, and emphasis on process over results created a winning culture. Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan transformed the J&K team as its coach, bringing his international experience and tactical acumen to a side hungry for success.
Skipper Paras Dogra, who spent most of his Ranji career with Himachal Pradesh, has provided solidity to the middle order. A journeyman professional, Dogra represents the unsung heroes of domestic cricket—players who may never play for India but who form the backbone of the first-class game. His leadership has been invaluable for J&K.
The Recognition Problem
But success in Ranji also needs to be rewarded. Too often in the past have we seen members of the winning team being ignored because selectors aren’t convinced about Ranji-level performance. This scepticism is partly justified—many top players give the Ranji season a miss, diluting the quality of the competition. But it also reflects a bias toward the glamour of international and IPL cricket.
The performance of J&K’s Auqib Nabi, who has taken 55 wickets at an average of 12.72, deserves recognition, at least in red-ball cricket. These are extraordinary numbers by any standard. If a bowler takes 55 wickets at under 13 runs apiece, he is doing something right. To ignore such performance because it happened in the Ranji Trophy rather than in an India jersey is to devalue the very tournament that is supposed to be the pathway to the national team.
The Supply Line for Test Cricket
If India can do this consistently—reward domestic performance, trust the Ranji Trophy as a genuine talent identifier—the supply line for Test cricket will be further strengthened. Test cricket places a premium on technique, temperament, and endurance. These are qualities that the Ranji Trophy tests like no other format.
The challenge for selectors is to look beyond star names and IPL performances and to give due weight to first-class cricket. A bowler who takes wickets consistently over a full Ranji season has proven something that a few good overs in a T20 match cannot.
The Broader Significance
The changing landscape of the Ranji Trophy reflects broader changes in Indian society. Talent is no longer concentrated in the metros. With better infrastructure, greater exposure, and more opportunities, players from smaller towns and even conflict zones can dream of cricketing glory.
This is good for Indian cricket. A wider talent pool means more competition, higher standards, and a deeper bench. It also means that the Indian team, when selected, represents the entire country, not just a few privileged regions.
Conclusion: A Healthy Sign
The Ranji Trophy’s changing landscape is a healthy sign for Indian cricket. New champions, underdog stories, and emerging talents from unexpected quarters all point to a system that is working. The BCCI’s investment in infrastructure, the spillover effects of T20 leagues, and the value of experienced professionals are all contributing to this transformation.
But the system will only truly work if domestic performance is rewarded. Auqib Nabi and players like him need to know that 55 wickets at 12.72 will open doors, not just earn polite applause. If India can get this right, the future of Test cricket in the country will be bright indeed.
Q&A: Unpacking the Ranji Trophy’s Changing Landscape
Q1: Which teams have won the Ranji Trophy since the pandemic?
The champions have been Madhya Pradesh (2021–22), Saurashtra (2022–23), Mumbai (2023–24), and Vidarbha (2024–25). This diversification of success marks a shift from decades of dominance by traditional powerhouses like Mumbai, Karnataka, and Delhi. New finalists have also emerged, with Kerala reaching the final last year and Jammu and Kashmir making the semi-finals this year.
Q2: What factors have contributed to the rise of new teams?
Three key factors stand out. First, the BCCI’s focus on building infrastructure across the country, including in regions like J&K, has created better facilities. Second, the rise of T20 leagues has given talented players more opportunities and exposure beyond the metros. Third, the value of experienced professionals—like Wasim Jaffer, Chandrakant Pandit, and Irfan Pathan—in mentoring and coaching fledgling teams has been transformative.
Q3: Who is Auqib Nabi and why does his performance deserve recognition?
Auqib Nabi is a bowler from Jammu and Kashmir who has taken 55 wickets at an astonishing average of 12.72 in the Ranji Trophy. These numbers are extraordinary by any standard. His performance deserves recognition at least in red-ball cricket, as it demonstrates the kind of bowling quality that could strengthen India’s Test cricket supply line.
Q4: What is the recognition problem facing Ranji Trophy performers?
Too often, members of winning Ranji teams are ignored by selectors who aren’t convinced about the quality of domestic performance. While this scepticism is partly justified because many top players skip the Ranji season, it also reflects a bias toward international and IPL cricket. This devalues the very tournament that is supposed to be the pathway to the national team.
Q5: Why is rewarding domestic performance important for Test cricket?
Test cricket places a premium on technique, temperament, and endurance—qualities that the Ranji Trophy tests like no other format. A bowler who takes wickets consistently over a full first-class season has proven something that a few good overs in a T20 match cannot. If India consistently rewards domestic performance, the supply line for Test cricket will be strengthened, ensuring a deeper talent pool for the national team.
