Cricket basics more important than structural changes

The Ranji Trophy has undergone numerous changes since its birth way back in 1934, when it was a knockout tournament all the way with the champion of each zone taking on the other zone winners. There were only 15 teams in the fray in the first season. In the South Zone for instance, there were only three teams, Madras, Hyderabad and Mysore. Teams were added year after year and now we have 27 teams in the competition. The league-cum-knockout format was introduced in 1957-1958 and it continues to this day, except for the brief superleague interlude.

Until 1970-1971, only one team from each zone qualified for the knockout phase. During my playing days, two teams did, and this still ensured a reasonable level of competitiveness, because each zone had at least two good teams. We still faced some very easy opposition in our own zones, though the pursuit of bonus points made for some exciting cricket against the weaker teams. We had to be at our best, however, against the stronger teams to have any chance of appearing on the national scene. For individual players too, this was important, as there was no other way we could catch the selectors' eyes.

I believe the championship was really devalued when the three-team formula was introduced. Even in a zone where there are three quality teams, the intensity of the contests gets reduced considerably when a team knows it had done well enough to enter the second phase of the tournament.

For decades now, concerned cricket observers have been calling for some real reform in the structure of domestic cricket, so that India will stand a better chance of doing well on the world stage. There finally seems to be a very serious intention on the part of the BCCI to pay some attention to this problem. We hear talk of a two-tier system being introduced, with promotions and relegations between the two divisions. The idea is intrinsically sound in that it will make for more competitive cricket in both the first and second divisions, as the teams should be evenly matched. However, for the competition to be really meaningful in the higher division, all Test players must take part.

But aren't we creating a class system in Indian cricket, which may deny opportunities to deserving players, because they belong to teams in the second division? And how do we prevent abuses of the system to engineer promotions and relegations? These are questions some senior cricketers raised when I sought their views.

My own view is that every step should be taken to make domestic cricket more competitive and raise standards. A two-tier system may be an inevitable outcome of such an attempt, but more important is the need to prepare sporting wickets all over India and inculcate proper cricket values in our youngsters. Unless greater attention is paid by our coaches to basics like good running between the wickets, improving fitness and fielding levels, batting technique that can stand up to international conditions, and positive thinking in the team's cause, our domestic cricket is unlikely to throw up world class players.