THIS was the announcement every cricketer of the country was eagerly waiting for. With BCCI declaring that Ranji Trophy will be conducted this year in two phases, the red-ball multi-day cricket will be back after a gap of almost two years.

Two-time Ranji Trophy winning Vidarbha captain Faiz Fazal is delighted with the positive development and thanked BCCI for organising the 38-team First-Class cricket after almost two years. “One of the best news. I am very excited and delighted that Ranji Trophy, one of the premier domestic tournaments of the country, is restarting. Thanks to BCCI for taking the efforts in holding the tournament. I am sure it would have been difficult for them (BCCI) to organise the tournament as they have to sneak in Ranji Trophy in between national and international calendar,” Fazal said while sharing his views with ‘The Hitavada.’

“Let the preparations begin,” a letter from BCCI Secretary Jay Shah to affiliated units stated.

“The decks have been cleared and we are set to conduct the Ranji Trophy 2021-22 shortly. Earlier this month the board was forced to postpone India’s premier domestic tournament in wake of the rising COVID cases in the country.

“The hard decision of postponement was done keeping in mind the safety and well-being of everyone concerned.

“BCCI has worked on a structure where we will conduct the Ranji Trophy this season in two phases. The first phase will begin soon and will comprise the league matches while the knock-out leg will be held in the month of June,” added BCCI’s letter.

The venues, groupings and structure of the tournament will be announced soon. The tournament is expected to start in February.

Fazal, the most successful captain of Vidarbha, said the team is eagerly waiting for the tournament to start and not looking too far at present. He said it (two phase tourney) won’t make much of an impact as the situation will be same for all teams.

“We were eagerly waiting for the start of First-Class cricket. Let the first phase start, that is more important. There is no point in thinking too far. We are thinking only of the first match at present. In any given situation, we will have to play. Playing red ball cricket after a gap of almost two years itself is a big positive,” Fazal said.

On the gap between first and second phase, the left-handed Vidarbha opener said there would definitely be a break in the momentum but, in the same breadth, thanked BCCI for making this tournament possible.

“As IPL would be played in between, BCCI will have to keep window for it. It doesn’t matter whether we play the second phase after a gap of couple of months or immediately. We are waiting for the first ball to be bowled,” he exclaimed.

“Definitely, there will be a break in the momentum when the tournament will be held in two phases, but that will be same for every team,” he added.

Teams would be playing multi-day competition after a long gap and it would be a test of character for all the players to adapt to the situation.

Fazal said players will have to be mentally strong when they return to the longest format of domestic cricket.

“It will be definitely challenging to adapt to multi-day game. It will be difficult but we have to accept it and move forward. I think those mentally strong will adapt the situation and conditions well.

“As a team, we have to be very stable and not get overexcited. We all will have to control our nerves and not get overawed by the situation.

“That will be most important,” Fazal signed off.