Welcome to an exciting chapter in Indian cricket as the **Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)** rolls out its roadmap for the **2025-26 domestic season**. With a calendar brimming with action, innovative format changes, and a renewed focus on competitive balance, this season promises to be a game-changer for players and fans alike. From the iconic **Duleep Trophy** kicking off the campaign to the intense battles of the **Ranji Trophy**, here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming cricketing extravaganza.
The season officially begins on **August 28, 2025**, with the Duleep Trophy, heralding a return to the traditional **zonal selection system**. Unlike previous years where national selectors handpicked squads, six zonal teams will now clash in a bid to revive regional rivalries and unearth grassroots talent. The tournament will culminate in a grand finale at the state-of-the-art **Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru** on **September 15, 2025**. Following this, the **Irani Cup**—a prestigious face-off between the Ranji Trophy champions and the Rest of India—will be held from **October 1 to 5** in **Nagpur**, setting the tone for the red-ball season.
One of the season’s highlights, the **Ranji Trophy**, will be conducted in two phases to accommodate players’ workloads and ensure peak performance. The first leg runs from **October 15 to November 19, 2025**, while the second phase is scheduled between **January 22 and February 1, 2026**. This split format, adopted in recent years, has proven effective in managing player fatigue during the grueling first-class campaign. Elite teams like **Mumbai**, **Tamil Nadu**, **Karnataka**, **Delhi**, and defending champions **Vidarbha** will battle it out in the top tier, while emerging sides such as **Meghalaya**, **Mizoram**, and **Sikkim** will compete in the newly structured **Plate Group**.
The white-ball tournaments also see significant overhauls. The **Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy** (T20) introduces a **Super League stage** in place of direct knockouts, with league matches spanning **November 26 to December 8, 2025**, across vibrant host cities like **Lucknow**, **Hyderabad**, **Ahmedabad**, and **Kolkata**. The knockout phase will thrill fans in **Indore** from **December 12 to 18**. Similarly, the **Vijay Hazare Trophy** (50-over format) will adopt a structure of **four Elite Groups and one Plate Group**, with league games from **December 24, 2025, to January 8, 2026**, in cities including **Ahmedabad**, **Rajkot**, **Jaipur**, and **Bangalore**. The knockouts will again take center stage at the **Centre of Excellence** from **January 12 to 18, 2026**.
Women’s cricket continues to gain prominence with the **Senior Women’s T20 Trophy** mirroring the men’s T20 format changes and the **Senior Women’s Inter-Zonal Multi-Day Trophy** closing the season on **April 3, 2026**. Junior categories (Under-16, Under-19, and Under-23) will also follow a streamlined **five Elite plus one Plate group system**, ensuring young talents get ample opportunities to shine. A key reform across tournaments is the revised **promotion and relegation system**, where only one team moves between the Elite and Plate groups each season, fostering sustained growth for smaller associations.
The BCCI’s strategic tweaks aim to elevate the standard of domestic cricket while maintaining inclusivity. By reviving zonal selections, introducing Super League stages, and balancing the calendar, the board is setting the stage for a fiercely competitive season. As a cricket journalist, I believe these changes could be the blueprint for discovering the next **Virat Kohli** or **Jasprit Bumrah**, hidden in the heartlands of India. Mark your calendars, because from August 2025 to April 2026, Indian cricket is set to deliver drama, talent, and unforgettable moments. Which team are you backing this season? Let the games begin!