Ranji Trophy Opens With Jaiswal, Rahul and Jadeja as BCCI Enforces Domestic Duty for India's Test Stars

The 92nd edition of the Ranji Trophy gets underway on Sunday, and India's most prestigious red-ball domestic competition will open with an unmistakable injection of international star power. A total of 37 teams will be in action in the opening round, with Arunachal Pradesh missing the first round and swelling the number to 38 from the next round onwards.

Chief among the attractions is a cluster of senior India players using the tournament to sharpen their red-ball form before a demanding international schedule. Yashasvi Jaiswal will turn out for Mumbai, KL Rahul for Karnataka and Washington Sundar for Tamil Nadu — all three before they depart for the India 'A' shadow tour of New Zealand. Veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja will also be in action for Saurashtra.

The timing is significant. With India scheduled to play seven Tests over the next four months — two in New Zealand and five at home against Australia — the tournament carries extra weight for domestic performers hoping to push their case for a national call-up, and for established names eager to stay match-ready.

Domestic Form Now a Pathway to the National Side

Recent selections have shown that strong Ranji Trophy returns are being rewarded. Jammu & Kashmir swing bowler Auqib Nabi, who took 60 wickets in 10 matches last season, earned an India call-up. Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar, Devdutt Padikkal, off-spinner Saransh Jain and Karnataka batter Ravichandran Smaran have also benefited from standout domestic performances.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia underlined the tournament's place at the heart of India's talent pathway. "The Ranji Trophy is the premier domestic cricket tournament in India. All players who want to make a mark nationally and internationally have to take this tournament seriously because all eyes are on performances here," Saikia told TOI.

BCCI's Mandate: Available Players Must Play Domestic Cricket

Saikia also reiterated the Board's firm policy that all available India players must feature in domestic cricket. "Whoever is available and not on national duty is mandatorily required to participate in the Ranji Trophy or other domestic tournaments," he said. "It keeps senior players in rhythm and helps youngsters learn by sharing the dressing room with them."

The directive aligns with the BCCI's stated intent — reported in late September — to have India's New Zealand-bound Test hopefuls, including captain Shubman Gill and vice-captain KL Rahul, turn out for their state sides ahead of the two-Test away series beginning November 15. Jadeja's participation for Saurashtra was confirmed earlier in October, when he was named in the side's 16-man squad for the opener against Chhattisgarh, with Jaydev Unadkat continuing as captain as the two-time champions look to bounce back from an early exit last season.

Even in the age of the IPL and a growing network of state T20 leagues, the Ranji Trophy endures as Indian cricket's most prestigious red-ball tournament — and this season's opening round makes clear that the national setup intends to keep it that way.