How to apply and become a Ranji player in India?
The Ranji Trophy is a first-class cricket league, and one of the most prolific tournaments in India. The league is in presence of teams that represent regional associations, most of them are the state cricket teams. As of now, the tournament consists of 28 qualified teams with first-class status.
Making it big in the cricketing world is certainly not a piece of cake, and if you want to play at the international level and make a career professionally , you have to start from a young age.
Now, let’s talk about the process of making it through to Ranji Trophy:
JOIN A LOCAL CRICKET TEAM
If you want to play Ranji Trophy, you need to be part of a professional cricket team. First of all, you need to get yourself enrolled in a local cricket club or association where you’ll learn the tricks and improve as a player.
With your performance, if and when the coaches and the association like you, they might draft you in a team. However, the team will most likely have different levels, as you will improve your performance and skills, you will climb up the ladder simultaneously.
Although, the local cricket teams play in association sponsored tournaments.
WHAT CRICKET TOURNAMENTS YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH?
As you keep shining in local tournaments, you might get a call from the district level cricket tournaments. Once you are drafted in the district level, you’ll be able to participate in the inter-district tournament, where you will have to put on your A game.
Moreover, selectors and spectators will likely be watching those matches in the inter-district tournament, and they’re going to pick up the exceptional players. The selected ones maybe then drafted into the divisional side, which takes place in inter-divisional tournaments.
The inter-divisional tournaments are a great opportunity to make through to the Ranji teams, but, the young guns who have performed well at a junior level also have chances to enter directly, without the inter-divisional tournaments.
JOURNEY AFTER INTER-DIVISIONAL TOURNAMENTS?
The players are monitored on a regular basis in inter divisional tournaments and choose the best to participate in a team. In some states, players for state team are also selected through trials, but overall the performance during the matches is a major criteria in the selection process for the Ranji Trophy.
Those players will be under the state association coaches and will take part in various tournaments that will be a prep for the Ranji Trophy. Once again you have to be at the best of your capabilities and if luck is in your favour, you might be selected to play in the Ranji Trophy.
PROCESS OF RANJI TROPHY SELECTION
- Join a local cricket association or club.
- Enter their team and play in association-sponsored tournaments.
- Play in district level tournaments.
- Play in inter-district tournaments.
- Get selected by a state team.
- Participate in the Ranji Trophy.