The Ranji Trophy is a domestic first-class cricket championship played in India, named after the legendary cricketer Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji. The tournament is contested between teams representing various states and regions of India. It is considered one of the most prestigious domestic cricket competitions in the world.
The story of how the Ranji Trophy came into existence is an interesting one. In the early 1930s, India was still a British colony, and cricket was the most popular sport in the country. However, there was no organized structure for domestic cricket, and matches were played mainly between teams representing various regions and clubs.
In 1926-27, the Bombay Quadrangular Tournament was introduced, which featured four teams – the Europeans, the Hindus, the Muslims, and the Parsis. However, this tournament was criticized for being communal in nature and excluding other communities. As a result, the organizers decided to discontinue the tournament.
This led to the need for a new domestic cricket championship that would be inclusive and represent all regions and communities of India. It was at this time that Ranjitsinhji, who was then the Chancellor of the Indian Chamber of Princes, suggested the idea of a national cricket championship.
In 1934, Ranjitsinhji donated a trophy to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for a national championship. The trophy was named the Ranji Trophy in honor of the former cricketer, who had played for both England and India in his career.
Ranjitsinhji was one of the most talented and innovative batsmen of his time. He played for England between 1896 and 1902 and scored over 2,800 runs at an average of 44.95. He was also the first Indian to play for an English county team, Sussex. He scored over 24,000 runs for the county, and his batting style, known as the “late cut,” became famous.
Ranjitsinhji was also known for his philanthropy and his love for cricket. He donated large sums of money to various cricket clubs and institutions and was instrumental in promoting the sport in India. It was therefore fitting that he should donate a trophy for a national championship that would help promote the sport in his homeland.
The first Ranji Trophy tournament was held in the 1934-35 season, and the teams that participated were Bombay, Madras, Hyderabad, and Nawanagar. Bombay, led by Vijay Hazare, won the tournament, and the trophy was presented to them by Ranjitsinhji himself.
Since then, the Ranji Trophy has become one of the most prestigious domestic cricket competitions in the world. It has been won by some of the greatest players in Indian cricket history, including Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sunil Gavaskar, and Kapil Dev.
Over the years, the format of the tournament has evolved to include more teams and a more complex structure. Currently, 38 teams participate in the tournament, divided into five groups based on their geographical location. The top teams from each group qualify for the knockout stage, which culminates in a final.
The Ranji Trophy has played an important role in the development of Indian cricket. It has provided a platform for young cricketers to showcase their talent and earn a place in the national team. Many of India’s greatest cricketers have honed their skills in the tournament before going on to represent the country at the international level.
Final Conclusion on Who Donated Ranji Trophy to BCCI
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