Amid the speculations over the fate of Ranji Trophy 2021-22, BCCI secretary Jay Shah on Friday (January 28) confirmed that the premier First-Class tournament would be held in two phases, in which all the league-stage games would be played in the first phase.

"The Board has decided to conduct the Ranji Trophy this season in two phases. In the first phase, we plan to complete all matches of the league stage while the knockouts will be held in June. My team is working closely to mitigate any kind of health risk caused by the pandemic, while at the same time ensuring a highly competitive red-ball cricket contest," Shah said in an official statement.

"Ranji Trophy is our most prestigious domestic competition, which has been providing Indian Cricket with an enviable talent pool every year. It is absolutely important that we take all necessary steps to safeguard the interest of this premier event," he added.

Earlier in the day, former India head coach Ravi Shastri warned that ignoring Ranji Trophy will make Indian cricket ‘spineless’.

Notably, the Ranji Trophy 2021-22 was scheduled to get underway on January 13 but was postponed indefinitely owing to the third wave of COVID-19 in the country.

It is worth mentioning here that the First-Class event couldn’t take place last season as well, due to the pandemic and the logistical obstacles faced for having an extended bio-bubble for 38 teams.

(With ANI inputs)