New Delhi, Dec 14: With an aim to commence the domestic cricket, Jay Shah, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, said that India's 2020-21 domestic season will kick off with the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which is set to take place from January 10 with the final to be played on January 31. Shah handed out the decision in an email to all the state units of the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

 

 

The decision was taken following the suggestions from all state associations on which tournament they would prefer playing in the pandemic-hit cricket season. Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy had emerged as the favorite, while there was an almost equal preference for Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy as the second-choice tournament for the season.

 

"I had sought your responses on the possibilities of organizing domestic cricket this season. The members of BCCI are integral to it and the BCCI would not be a success without the efforts that the members put in at the grass-root level. After having gone through your responses and in accordance with the feedback received, I am pleased to inform you that the BCCI is planning to start the domestic season 2020-21 with the scheduling of the T20 tournament for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy."

 

The Indian cricket board has informed the member associations that all teams have been asked to assemble at their respective venues on January 2, 2021. The BCCI will have six bio-secure hubs, with the 38 teams divided into groups, and the BCCI will announce the venues in the coming days.

 

"The BCCI will seek further feedback from the members on organizing any other tournament/tournaments and the decision will take place after the group stage of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy," he added. "Further details pertaining to Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy will be finalized soon."

 

It will further ask the state units to get the Covid-19 tests done before the teams reach the hubs. The teams might to go into a 7-day quarantine and the BCCI will set up a secure bio-bubble. Meanwhile, the last date for the inter-state transfer of cricketers for the season has been extended to December 20, 2020