Ranji Trophy: India's First-Class Cricket Competition
The history and significance of the Ranji Trophy, India's premier domestic first-class cricket tournament, from its 1934 origins to becoming the world's largest first-class cricket competition.
The Ranji Trophy is India's premier domestic first-class cricket competition, contested between state associations since 1934. Named after Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji — the Indian prince who played brilliantly for England — it is the world's largest first-class cricket tournament by the number of participating teams.
Origins: The Prince and His Trophy
Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji (1872–1933), known as 'Ranji', was one of cricket's earliest superstars. He played for England and Sussex, scoring 3,025 runs in his debut season (1895) and introducing the leg glance to cricket. Though never playing for India — he died in 1933 before the BCCI established the tournament — the Ranji Trophy was named in his honour a year after his death. The inaugural tournament in 1934–35 was won by Bombay.
Format and Structure
The Ranji Trophy uses a group-stage knockout format across four-day matches. With up to 38 teams participating (divided into Elite Group A, Elite Group B, and Plate Group), it involves hundreds of matches across the cricket season. State associations, railways, services teams, and universities all participate. Mumbai (formerly Bombay) have won the trophy a record 42 times, making them the most successful Ranji side in history.
Most Successful Teams
| State | Titles |
|---|---|
| Mumbai (Bombay) | 42 |
| Karnataka | 9 |
| Delhi | 7 |
| Baroda | 5 |
| Holkar/Madhya Pradesh | 5 |
| Hyderabad | 4 |
| Tamil Nadu | 4 |
| Bengal | 2 |
| Rajasthan | 2 |
| Saurashtra | 2 |
Famous Ranji Trophy Performers
Every Indian Test player has been shaped by the Ranji Trophy. Sunil Gavaskar developed his watertight technique playing for Bombay. Sachin Tendulkar made his Ranji debut at 15 for Bombay, scoring a century. Rahul Dravid was a consistent Ranji performer for Karnataka before his Test call-up. Cheteshwar Pujara's patient batting was forged across dozens of long Ranji Trophy innings for Saurashtra.
The 2020 Disruption and COVID Impact
The 2020–21 Ranji Trophy was cancelled for the first time in its history due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The BCCI held alternative tournaments (Vijay Hazare Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali T20) but the traditional four-day competition was suspended for over a year. When it returned in 2022, several fringe players had used the gap to play IPL cricket and franchise leagues, raising questions about the balance between domestic red-ball cricket and franchise T20 competition.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the Ranji Trophy named after?
The Ranji Trophy is named after Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji, an Indian prince who played cricket brilliantly for England and Sussex in the 1890s. He died in 1933 and the trophy was created in 1934 in his memory.
Which team has won the most Ranji Trophies?
Mumbai (formerly Bombay) have won the Ranji Trophy 42 times — the most of any team in the competition's history.
How many teams play in the Ranji Trophy?
Up to 38 teams participate in the Ranji Trophy, making it the largest first-class cricket competition in the world by number of participating teams.