With the Ranji Trophy all set to resume after a season’s gap owing to the pandemic, Bengal are gradually setting their house in order. The runners-up of the tournament’s previous edition have started with their practice and training sessions at the Jadavpur University Salt Lake campus ground.

The tournament was set to start on January 13 but had to be postponed because of the massive rise in Covid-19 cases. The format of the competition is set for an overhaul. Elite teams are likely to be divided into groups of four each.

It has been learnt that Bengal will be placed alongside Baroda, Hyderabad and Chandigarh in their group. The side, to be led by Abhimanyu Easwaran, who joined practice on Monday, will play the group-phase matches in Cuttack.

According to sources, the teams will have to join the bubble on February 10 with the tournament expected to get underway from February 16 or 17. The Ranji group phase is likely to continue till March 5 or 6, with the knockout round starting after the end of this year’s IPL in June.

Alongside the format, speculation continues over the other prospective venues for the tournament apart from Cuttack.

The buzz is the 38 participating teams could be spread over eight other cities: Chennai, Calcutta, Ahmedabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Bangalore, Rajkot, Guwahati and Hyderabad. But as per another view, Chennai, Calcutta, Cuttack and Hyderabad could be the shortlisted venues.

To speak of the format, 32 teams could be part of eight groups in the Elite league with the remaining six in Plate.

“The top team from each of the eight groups, the best second-placed seven teams (in terms of points and net run rate) and one from the Plate level will make the pre-quarter finals, which will be held in the tournament’s second phase once the IPL is over.”

“But another option is also being considered. This entails only the top teams from each of the eight Elite groups reaching the knockouts. But then among the eight in the Elite cross pool, only the top six will earn a direct quarter-final berth,” the source added. “The teams placed seventh and eighth in the cross pool and two sides from the Plate level will have to play the pre-quarters.”

Spectators at Eden

With the state government allowing 75 per cent capacity at stadiums as well, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) is confident of having spectators at Eden Gardens for the three T20Is versus the West Indies on February 16, 18 and 20.