New Delhi: India’s upcoming first-class season will begin on October 15. The Ranji Trophy uses a promotion and relegation system just like England’s county cricket and football leagues.

There are 32 teams divided into four Elite groups to compete for the glory, whereas the six teams featured in the Plate league get a chance to enter into Elite groups in the next season.

Last year, Bihar and Meghalaya were relegated to the Plate league due to their poor run in the 2024/25 season. Now, Goa and Nagaland have replaced them by playing the final of last season’s plate league final.

Vidharbha are the defending champions, as they defeated Kerala in the Ranji Trophy final in the 2024/25 season. There will be a total of 135 matches in the upcoming season.

19 matches are scheduled to take place

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