The BCCI has unveiled the long-awaited schedule for India’s 2026/27 domestic season, detailing a full slate of men’s and women’s matches across eight categories. The campaign is set to get underway on August 23 with the Duleep Trophy at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, kicking off what the board describes as a broad, format-balanced pathway for players right from youth level to senior cricket.
Key takeaways
- The 2026/27 domestic calendar runs across eight categories and includes both men’s and women’s competitions.
- Action starts on August 23 with the Duleep Trophy at the BCCI CoE in Bengaluru.
- A total of 1,788 matches are scheduled across age-group and senior cricket for the season.
- The U-23 white-ball competition and the Vizzy Trophy Inter-zonal University event switch to the T20 format.
- The Vijay Merchant Trophy (U-16) is shifted to the November–January window to better align with school and board exam timelines.
Format changes and the overall structure
The BCCI’s release lays out a packed season featuring men’s pathways at U-16, U-19, U-23 and senior level, alongside women’s tournaments at U-15, U-19, U-23 and senior level. In total, the board has planned 1,788 matches spanning age-group and senior cricket throughout the 2026/27 cycle.
Two major adjustments stand out. First, the U-23 white-ball event—along with the Inter-zonal University meet for the Vizzy Trophy—will be played in T20 format, reflecting the growing emphasis on the shortest format in player development. Second, the Vijay Merchant Trophy (U-16) has been moved to the November–January period, giving emerging youngsters more breathing room ahead of annual and board examinations, which are typically scheduled for February and March.
The board said the 2026-27 season underlines its ongoing focus on strengthening domestic cricket while ensuring a structured progression across formats and categories.
Men’s competitions: dates, venues and phases
August 23 onward: The Duleep Trophy, returning to a zonal format, will begin the domestic season. It is scheduled from August 23 to September 10, with the venue being the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
October 1 to 5: After the Duleep Trophy concludes, attention shifts to Srinagar for the Irani Cup. The match features the Ranji Trophy champions Jammu and Kashmir cricket team against Rest of India, scheduled for October 1 to October 5.
Ranji Trophy Elite phase 1: The first phase of the Ranji Trophy Elite—four rounds in total—will run from October 11 to November 5.
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy: The domestic calendar then includes two major white-ball tournaments. The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is set for November 14 to December 6, with matches staged across Mumbai, Mohali, Vizag and Kolkata. The knockout phase is planned in Nagpur. The Vijay Hazare Trophy follows from December 14, 2026 to January 8, 2027.
Ranji Trophy Elite phase 2: The second phase of the Ranji Trophy Elite will take place from January 17 to February 4, scheduled after the completion of both the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Ranji Trophy knockout stage: The Ranji Trophy knockout matches will be played from February 9 to March 3. In the Plate division, the second phase ends earlier on January 20, while the Plate final is scheduled between January 24 and January 28.
Additional trophies and women’s calendar
The BCCI also confirmed that the Col. CK Nayudu Trophy will be conducted in two phases. The fixture that sees Col. C.K. Nayudu Trophy winners take on Rest of India is scheduled from October 1 to October 4, 2026, returning to the domestic timetable to provide an enhanced competitive platform for emerging U-23 cricketers.
Senior Women’s T20 Trophy Elite: The women’s T20 event is scheduled from October 26 to November 6 across Lucknow, Pune, Delhi and Mohali. The knockout matches will then be staged in Ahmedabad from November 14 to 20. For the Plate division, matches will be played in Dimapur until November 2, with the final set for November 4.
Women’s One Day Trophy Elite: The women’s 50-over competition will run from December 19 to 31 in Cuttack, Jaipur, Baroda and Raipur. The knockout stage is planned in Chennai from January 4 to 10. The Plate division league will end on December 27, with the final taking place on December 29 in Kolkata.
