BCCI has finally charted out a plan its much delayed 2020-21 domestic season. It will start with the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy which will be played from January 10 to 31. The tournament will be played in six different states where the board will create bio-secure hubs. The BCCI had given various options to the State Units to pick from different competitions and T20 trophy remained the favourite of all the associations.

The action in the shortest format also paves the way for the cricketers to stake their claim ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. It has been learnt that the BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has written an E-Mail to State Associations about the domestic cricket for 2020-21 season getting underway.

Also, all the players of the participating teams have been told to report to the bio-secure hubs by January 2, 2021. “After having gone through your responses and in accordance with the feedback received, I am pleased to inform you that BCCI is planning to start the domestic season 2020-21 with the scheduling of the T20 tournament for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

“By Saturday, January 2, 2021, teams will have to assemble in their respective hub. From Sunday, January 10, 2021, tournament will start and the final will be played on January 21, 2021,” the email read according to India TV.

No decision on Ranji or Vijay Hazare Trophy yet

Meanwhile, Jay Shah also stated in his email that the decision on having either Ranji or Vijay Hazare Trophy will only be taken after the group stage of said T20 tournament is over. Feedbacks from all the state units will be factored in to take the decision.

“BCCI will subsequently seek feedback from the members on organising any other domestic tournament after the group stage of Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy. The members are requested to factor a subsequent tournament in their planning and make arrangements accordingly,” Shah further added. It is also reported that BCCI is organising the T20 tournament first keeping in mind the possibility of having the mega auction for the IPL 2021. The upcoming IPL season may have nine or ten teams.