Ranji Trophy 2025-26 Preview: Key news, team updates, and major developments ahead of India’s premier domestic cricket tournament.
The 2025-26 season of the Ranji Trophy will commence on October 15 and is divided into two rounds. Teams will play five games in the first round till the third week of November. After that, the focus will shift to the white-ball formats for the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26.
The second round of India’s red-ball domestic tournament will restart in the last week of January 2026. After two encounters in the group stage, the quarter-final round will begin on February 6, followed by the semifinals and final.
Let’s take a look at the major news and developments for the red-ball domestic competition
No place for Suryakumar Yadav in Mumbai’s opening game, Vaibhav Suryavanshi gets Bihar vice-captaincy
India’s T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, hasn’t been included in a strong-looking 16-member Mumbai squad for their opening game against Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar. This will be the first assignment for the new leader, Shardul Thakur. Ayush Mhatre, who led the India U-19 side to a series victory in Australia, has also found a place.
Shivam Dube will feature in this game before India’s away T20I series down under. Sarfaraz Khan, who didn’t play the Duleep Trophy 2025-26 and Irani Cup 2025, has returned after recovering from injury. Shreyas Iyer has expectedly missed the squad after being granted a six-month break from red-ball cricket.
“SKY hasn’t been dropped. It’s just that his availability wasn’t confirmed for this match. The Mumbai Cricket Association’s staff tried to contact him. But he didn’t give his availability for this match to us.” MCA secretary, Abhay Hadap, told the Times of India (TOI).
On the other hand, fourteen-year-old batting sensation, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, has been appointed the vice-captain for Bihar. He will serve as captain Sakibul Gani’s deputy in the Plate Group. Suryavanshi is coming off a fine series against Australia U-19 side, including an 86-ball 113-run knock in Brisbane. Bihar will open their campaign against Arunachal Pradesh in Patna before facing Manipur in Nadiad.
Read More: Who are the Test hopefuls waiting in the wings ahead of India’s 2025-26 home season?
Rishabh Pant expected to return in Delhi’s second fixture, Priyansh Arya gets maiden call-up
Since injuring his foot during the Manchester Test, Rishabh Pant is out of action for the national side. He has missed the Asia Cup 2025, the home Test series against West Indies, and the away white-ball series in Australia. However, his eyes are on the upcoming red-ball series against South Africa at home.
Pant shared glimpses of his recovery progress at the BCCI Center of Excellence in Bengaluru. He is expected to return to competitive cricket during the second round of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 for Delhi against Himachal Pradesh.
However, the DDCA has named the 24-year-old Priyansh Arya as their opener against Hyderabad. The southpaw had an impressive IPL 2025 with the Punjab Kings when he smashed 475 runs. Nitish Rana has also returned to the Delhi squad after playing the last two editions for Uttar Pradesh.
Ayush Badoni will lead the side, having cracked 499 runs last season along with his 13 wickets. Yash Dhull, who began the Duleep Trophy with a century against East Zone, will be his deputy.
Read More: Architects of Vidarbha’s win in Irani Cup 2025-26
Mohammed Shami and Akash Deep feature in Bengal squad
Bengal named Mohammed Shami in a strong squad for the red-ball event under Abhimanyu Easwaran’s captaincy. He will be partnered by Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep in the side. Shami, who hasn’t played Test matches in more than two years, has been dropped from India’s ODI squad due to lack of match practice.
Since the end of the IPL 2025, he played one first-class game for East Zone and returned with one wicket in 34 overs. Deep and Mukesh will look to come under the selection radar for the Protea series, starting November 14. The former underwent rehabilitation for a back injury that kept him out of the Duleep Trophy.
Mukesh was part of the touring India A side in England and recorded three wickets in his only outing. Bengal will begin their campaign against Uttarakhand at Eden Gardens.
Read More: Suryavanshi smashes hundred in Youth Test in Australia; Why FC success should be his next goal?
Rajat Patidar to lead Madhya Pradesh as Kerala pick Sanju Samson
Rajat Patidar has been named Madhya Pradesh’s all-format leader. He got the job to replace Shubham Sharma post his recent success. The 32-year-old led MP to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25 final against Mumbai before winning the IPL 2025 with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). He also earned the Duleep Trophy 2025-26 for Central Zone and led a strong Rest of India (ROI) against Vidarbha.
Patidar collected 529 runs in 11 innings during the previous Ranji Trophy with one century and two fifties. In his last seven innings, the right-handed batter has celebrated three fifties and two centuries.
Meanwhile, Sanju Samson has returned for Kerala for the Ranji opening fixture. He will, however, miss the next three rounds of the event due to his T20I assignment in Australia. Kerala’s leading pacer, Basil Thampi, has been dropped after he didn’t attend the preparatory camp.
This will also be Prithvi Shaw’s first season for Maharashtra. He is expected to open the innings with Arshin Kulkarni, as both celebrated centuries during their warm-up clash against Mumbai. Ankeet Bawne will lead the 16-member squad. The final of the competition will happen from February 24.
Read More: Rajat Patidar scripting quiet resurgence since forgettable Test debut against England in 2024
