Time for a change in format of Ranji Trophy.The changes may be (1.)Increasing the length of the match to 5 days. (2.)Change in points systems.especially for a draw if first innings lead A)less than 50 ----equal points 2 each B) more than 50--- 2.5 to the team that got first lead and 1 to the team that conceded lead. C) 75-100----3 to the team who got lead in first innings and 0 to the team conceding the lead. (3.)If a team gets a huge first inning lead say 200 and does not enforce follow on and still prefers to play then split the play of remaining overs between the teams equally (4.)If the teams over-rate is not satisfactory say 11-12 overs per hour then warn them once and caution repeating the offence that they would be penalised by 5 extra runs.If overrate does not improve still then punish the captain by 10% of match fees and the players by 5%.If these rules are included the Ranji match standards increase and help produce good players andmake them ready for international cricket

Ranji Trophy along with Duleep Trophy and Irani Trophy have lost their importance, primarily due to tight international calendar and lack of media coverage both newspaper and TV. Further too much of teams are playing ( 16 in Super League and equal number is Plate); BCCI still adopts age old practice; why should BCCI allow a team each for Saurastra, Baroda and Gujarath, similarly for Vidarbha, Maharastra and Mumbai... Hyderabad and Andhra. BCCI has to restructure the state boards and limit to 12 teams in Super league and equal number for Second division. Scrap Duleep trophy, Irani trophy; apart from IPL for T20, and Ranj trophy with sponsorship to bring money to players, have another tournament for ODI with 8-12 teams in line with IPL. Ensure 3 months time is dedicated to domestic tournaments so that all players play seriously. Prepare pitches in line with various conditions, move Ranji matches to "B" centres. Points system should be more challenging to avoid drab matches.

The players will obviously say the obvious - Ranji Trophy is more important than anything. Test Cricket is more important than anything etc. All such anodynes are just a cover-up for the appalling quality that we see in domestic cricket. A team like Hyderabad is all out against team like Rajasthan before the first drinks break :( The time has come to say 'Emperor has no clothes'.

First of all, it's vitally important to save the Ranji Trophy, because it's the only major domestic tournament that prepares players for Test cricket. T20 does not teach or require the same skills and temperament.

Secondly, the Ranji Trophy CAN be saved, given some imagination and money. The first may be in short supply at the BCCI, but the second is not. If the first-innings-lead victory is eliminated, that would encourage declarations and better matches. Instituting a 120 or 150 overs limit on each innings would be another option. Pitches that give bowlers some help are essential. Allowing the teams to recruit one or two foreign players each, like English county sides, would generate more competitive cricket, more spectator interest, television coverage and advertising revenue. Players who are already in the India team should be required to play a certain number of Ranji matches every season. And finally, spectators at the grounds need to be provided with decent facilities.

Yes, it is sad but true -a flash in the pan performance is all what you need to do now-a-days to get into the Indian ODI (50 overs team) -what I fail to understand is how the selectors think that if you do well in T20,you are good enought to get into 50 overs ODI -they are two different ball games -I don't understand how can you keep the only player who comes close to being a genuine all rounder -Irfan Pathan out of both the T20 or the ODI team -Kris Srikanth keeps giving TN players like M.Vijay, Dinesh Karthik and R.Ashwin freebies into the Indian team but keeps Irfan out all the time -Hopefully Irfan will get in once he starts playing for CSK or moves to TN