Duleep Trophy to be held after Ranji

The Indian board's Technical Committee has decided to retain the two-division format in the Ranji Trophy for the 2007-08 season with some changes in the points system at the league stage. It also decided that the Duleep Trophy inter-zonal tournament would be held after the final of the Ranji Trophy instead of at the beginning of the season as is the case at present.

These were the major recommendations made by the committee at a meeting in Bangalore chaired by former captain Sunil Gavaskar. They would have to be ratified by the BCCI's Working Committee when it meets in Delhi on June 12, said BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah.

"After long deliberations it was decided to retain the same format for Ranji Trophy this season," said joint secretary Mohinder Pandove. "There would be 15 teams in the Elite Division and 12 teams in the Plate division. We will try and find out an equitable way to reduce the Elite Division teams to 10 during the course of the season itself.

"Yes, the decision of the Working Committee has to be complied with but we will take these suggestions to the Working Committee and then whatever is decided there will have to be put forth to the General Body," Pandove explained.

Shah said that the meeting discussed mainly the suggestions that were given at the Ranji captains and coaches conclave held in April in Mumbai. "It has been decided to change the Ranji points system," said Shah. "For the next season if a team gains the first innings lead in a drawn tie it would get three points while the other team will get one point. Outright victories would fetch five points plus a bonus point if it's done by an innings or with 10 wickets to spare."

Till last season an outright win fetched four points while there were no points for conceding the first innings lead. The provision to earn an additional point for winning by 10 wickets or an innings remains the same.

Shah said that instead of holding it in October the Duleep Trophy would be held after the end of the Ranji Trophy. He also said that it would be difficult to accommodate a Twenty20 domestic tournament for next season and has left it to the Programmes and Fixtures Committee to squeeze in a Twenty20 event.