Despite no official clarity around the schedule of the 2020-21 Indian domestic season, state associations have begun preparations anticipating that country's premier first-class competition, the Ranji Trophy, isn't that far away.
It is being reported that Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 could be the other premier domestic tournament held in the winter as BCCI works out details of the itinerary, which will require safe and approved COVID-19 protocols.
For the moment, teams have begun their planning and preparations under strict health norms laid down by the board as well as the local authorities.
Winners of the coveted Ranji title in 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons, Vidarbha, "have had to send regular video clips daily to the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) to show that they are adhering to the norms", reported IANS.
"They have been doing low-intensity training sessions over the last couple of days after conducting Covid tests for 60-70 players and coaches over the last week."
Teams had to manage with online training sessions up until the last couple of days.
Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) too has started preparations for the season and will be focusing on the selection trials by the end of November.
"We have already begun selection trials in various districts and the selection trials for the Ranji Trophy team should end by November-end," said Yudhvir Singh, the UPCA secretary. "We are going ahead with it keeping in mind that BCCI's domestic season will start from January 1 next year. We will do it in Kanpur."
In hope to have a headstart, Uttarakhand had started the camps for senior men and senior women before Diwali. The association has held those in Dehradun. Its chief Mahim Verma said they have organised camps despite no detailed fixture-list.
"Many of the associations have started preparations. As far as the dates are concerned, we aren't sure. But let us see," Verma told IANS.
Former India batsman Wasim Jaffer has joined the Uttarakhand camp as coach after finishing with his IPL duties in Kings XI Punjab's (KXIP) support staff.
"I have joined the camp and the team has started training," Jaffer informed.
As per the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) designed by the BCCI, the responsibility of conducting COVID-19 tests and ensuring players' safety lay with the state associations.
No dates and venues are yet confirmed, but BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said in the media that the domestic season could kick-off in early January and be held in limited venues to restrict travelling and create bio-bubbles.
(Inputs from IANS)
