Ranji Trophy 2026-27 Season Preview: Schedule, Favourites and Format

Ranji Trophy 2026-27 is expected to begin in October 2026 and run through March 2027, staging India's premier first-class red-ball competition across elite and plate groups. Thirty-eight teams, eight Elite groups with round-robins, a knockout stage from the quarter-finals and a final at a neutral venue. Mumbai, the 42-title record holders, begin as perennial favourites, with Karnataka, Saurashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha the other top-tier contenders. Here is the full season preview with format, dates, and names to track.

Format recap

The BCCI's Ranji Trophy uses a two-tier structure:

• Elite Group: 32 teams split into four groups of 8. Each group plays a round-robin of 7 matches. Top 2 from each group qualify for the quarter-finals (8 teams).
• Plate Group: 6 smaller state teams compete for promotion. Winner earns Elite qualification.
• Knockouts: Quarter-finals, semi-finals, final — all four-day matches extended to five days if needed.
• Final: Typically five-day, at a neutral venue.

Points: 6 for outright win, 3 for draw with first-innings lead, 1 for draw with first-innings deficit. Bonus points for big wins.

This structure ensures ~44 group matches plus knockouts, running from early October to late February or early March.

Schedule window

Expected window: mid-October 2026 to early March 2027.

• October-November 2026: First four rounds of group stage.
• December 2026: Break (often coincides with Vijay Hazare Trophy).
• January 2027: Final three rounds of group stage + quarter-finals.
• February 2027: Semi-finals.
• February-March 2027: Final.

The BCCI releases the detailed fixture list 2-3 months in advance. Expect the schedule announcement in July or August 2026.

Defending champions and 2025-26 context

The 2025-26 Ranji Trophy final was played earlier this calendar year. Mumbai won the 2023-24 and 2024-25 editions under Ajinkya Rahane's leadership in the earlier title-winning run. Madhya Pradesh, champions of 2021-22 under Aditya Shrivastava, remain a serious contender.

For 2026-27, the defending champion comes into the tournament as a target for every ambitious side. Mumbai's depth, with players across India A and India's Test radar, makes them perennial favourites.

Favourites for 2026-27

Mumbai — always the benchmark

Mumbai have 42+ Ranji titles, more than every other state combined. Their system is the deepest — each club feeds the Mumbai Cricket Association senior team, with competitive grade cricket providing year-round first-class intensity. Expected squad nucleus: Ajinkya Rahane, Shardul Thakur, Sarfaraz Khan (when available), Yashasvi Jaiswal (rotating), Shivam Dube.

Saurashtra

Saurashtra reached the final in 2024-25. Cheteshwar Pujara's leadership, Arpit Vasavada's runs, Jaydev Unadkat's left-arm pace — the core is intact. Pujara, at 38, may play his last full season in 2026-27.

Karnataka

Karnataka have not won Ranji since 2014-15 but have a deep squad: KL Rahul (if available), Manish Pandey, Devdutt Padikkal, Krishnappa Gowtham, Prasidh Krishna (when not with India), Abhimanyu Mithun.

Madhya Pradesh

MP won in 2021-22 and have not quite reclaimed that form. Rajat Patidar (with India), Venkatesh Iyer, Avesh Khan and Kumar Kartikeya form a strong nucleus. Under the right captain, MP could push deep.

Vidarbha

Double champions in 2017-18 and 2018-19. Faiz Fazal, Yash Rathod and young pacers give them bite. Always a quarter-final contender.

Dark horses

• Delhi: always a high-profile roster, always an underachiever.
• Bengal: Wriddhiman Saha has retired; Anustup Majumdar leads a rebuild.
• Railways: experienced team, capable of upsets.
• Uttar Pradesh: Priyam Garg, Nitish Rana, Mohsin Khan — solid depth.

Star players to track

• Yashasvi Jaiswal (Mumbai): when not on international duty.
• Rajat Patidar (MP): India's Test batter returning to domestic cricket intermittently.
• Ruturaj Gaikwad (Maharashtra): India ODI captain, available in windows.
• Mohammed Siraj (Hyderabad): India pacer, may play 1-2 Ranji games.
• Tilak Varma (Hyderabad): increasingly a Test prospect.
• Dhruv Jurel (Uttar Pradesh): Test incumbent, the rising India keeper.
• Sarfaraz Khan (Mumbai): India Test batter returning to red-ball rhythm.

These players attract scouting and media attention. A strong Ranji run by any of them can unlock a Test return or an India A tour spot.

The India selection angle

Ranji Trophy remains the primary pipeline for Indian Test cricket. The 2026-27 season will be a key scouting window for:

• The 2027 India tour of England (Tests).
• The 2026-27 home season vs New Zealand and Australia.
• WTC 2025-27 final qualification race.

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar and the selection panel watch Ranji Trophy closely. A century on a difficult Day 3 pitch tends to matter more than a flat-track 150.

What the 2026-27 season must deliver

• Clear succession planning for the ageing Test middle order (Rohit, Kohli, Pujara era closing).
• Emergence of 2-3 new pace prospects after Umran Malik's patchy form.
• A Ranji final that captures the public imagination.
• Strong BCCI broadcast push — Ranji Trophy streaming improved in 2025-26; expect more in 2026-27.

FAQ

Q: When does Ranji Trophy 2026-27 start? A: Ranji Trophy 2026-27 is expected to start in October 2026 and conclude with the final in February or March 2027. The BCCI usually confirms the exact start date 2-3 months before the season begins.

Related reading

• Ranji Trophy 2026-27 Mumbai Dominance Analysis
• Ranji Trophy Rules and Format
• Ranji Trophy to IPL Pathway Explained 2026