India’s premier first-class cricket competition, the ranji trophyis set to return for its 91st season (2025–26), with 38 teams competing for the prestigious title. The season is scheduled to begin on October 15, 2025 and conclude approximately five months later on February 28, 2026. This five-month period will feature a massive schedule with a total of 138 high-stakes first-class matches.
The opening round of the tournament promises immediate action, with 19 matches scheduled at multiple venues across the country. The Ranji Trophy remains the oldest and most prestigious competition in Indian domestic cricket, serving as an important platform where a compelling mix of young talent, experienced international stars and intense state rivalries sets the stage for an entertaining and competitive season.
Ranji Trophy 2025-26 structure: Elite and plate divisions
The tournament format for the 2025–26 season will follow the established two-tier structure: Elite Division and Plate Division. This structure ensures competitive balance by providing a clear path to promotion and an accountability mechanism through demotion.
Elite Division: The Elite Division represents the top level of first-class cricket in India.
Teams and groups: The elite category consists of 32 teams. These teams are divided into four different groups, designated A, B, C and D.
League stage: Each team will participate in a single round-robin format, playing every other team within their respective group once.
Ability: The competition for a knockout spot will be tough. The top two teams from each of the four elite groups (A, B, C and D) will progress. This process culminates in a knockout stage, resulting in a composition of eight teams starting in the quarter-finals.
Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Teams and groups
- Group A: Uttar Pradesh, Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Odisha, Baroda, Nagaland, Vidarbha
- Group B: Saurashtra, KarnatakaKerala, MaharashtraGoa, Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab
- Group C: Railways, Haryana, Bengal, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Assam, Services, Tripura
- Group D: Hyderabad, Delhi, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Mumbai, Puducherry, Himachal Pradesh
- Plate Group: Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram
Ranji Trophy 2025-26 Round 1: Schedule and venues
Group A
- Uttar Pradesh vs Andhra – Green Park, Kanpur
- Tamil Nadu vs Jharkhand – Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts and Science Ground, Coimbatore
- Odisha vs Baroda – Barabati Stadium, Cuttack
- Nagaland vs Vidarbha – BCCI Center of Excellence Ground 1, Bengaluru
group b
- Saurashtra vs Karnataka – Niranjan Shah Stadium, Khanderi, Rajkot
- Kerala vs Maharashtra – Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram
- Goa vs Chandigarh – Goa Cricket Association Academy Ground, Porvorim
- Madhya Pradesh vs Punjab – Emerald High School Ground, Indore
group c
- Railways vs Haryana – Pithwala Stadium, Bhimpore, Surat
- Bengal vs Uttarakhand – Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- Gujarat vs Asan – Narendra Modi Stadium A Ground, Ahmedabad
- Services vs Tripura – Palam A Stadium, Delhi
group d
- Hyderabad vs Delhi – Nexgen Cricket Ground, Hyderabad
- Rajasthan vs Chhattisgarh – Madan Paliwal Miraj Sports Centre, Rajsamand, Rajasthan
- Jammu & Kashmir vs Mumbai – Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium, Srinagar
- Puducherry vs Himachal Pradesh – Cricket Association Puducherry Sichem Ground, Puducherry
plate group
- Bihar vs Arunachal Pradesh – Moin-ul-Haq Stadium, Patna
- Sikkim vs Manipur – SICA Ground, Rangpo
- Meghalaya vs Mizoram – Meghalaya Cricket Association Cricket Ground, Shillong
Comment: All matches will start at 9:30 am Indian time.
Ranji Trophy 2025-26: live streaming details
Only the knockout matches will be telecasted live and streamed online. Star Sports India and JioHotstar are set to telecast the quarter-finals, semi-finals and the big final.
Also read: Asia Cup hero Tilak Verma will captain Hyderabad in Ranji Trophy 2025-26; here’s the whole squad