DOMESTIC SEASON SCHEDULE

Ranji Trophy to start on December 9; Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy from November 8

by Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on

Vidarbha are the current title holders of the Ranji Trophy, having won the past two editions © Cricbuzz

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the full schedule for the upcoming domestic season, which will include 2036 games across various age groups in both men's and women's cricket.

The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy - the domestic T20 event - will be played between November 8 and December 1, in order to make room for IPL franchises to take a look at domestic talent before the next player auctions, which is usually held in December or January. Last year, SMA was held in February-March, long after the player auctions were done.

Eight days after the conclusion of SMA, India's premier domestic tournament - the Ranji Trophy - will get underway on December 9, and go on till March, for the first time ever.

The Duleep Trophy will kickstart the 2019 season, running from August 17 to September 8. This is set to be followed by the three limited-overs tournaments - the Vijay Hazare Trophy (inter-state 50-overs competition; September 24 to October 25), the Deodhar Trophy (inter-zonal 50-overs competition; October 31 to November 4) and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (inter-state 20-overs competition; November 8 to December 1).

The Women's domestic season will commence with the T20 League that is scheduled to start in the month of October.

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