We are trying to promote cricket here: BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla on scheduling matches in Raipur

ANI June 16, 2025 259 views

The BCCI has decided to host two international matches in Raipur to promote cricket in Chhattisgarh. Rajiv Shukla confirmed the venues for India's upcoming series against New Zealand, including Raipur for a T20I. The board also approved major changes to domestic tournaments, including revised groupings and promotion rules. Additionally, new umpire and match referee development programs were introduced to enhance officiating standards.

"We are in favour of promoting cricket in Chhattisgarh. This is a great achievement for Raipur." – Rajiv Shukla
Raipur, June 15: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president Rajiv Shukla said that the board is scheduling two home games for the Indian Cricket Team in Raipur in order to promote cricket in the city.

Key Points

1

BCCI approves Raipur for India vs South Africa & New Zealand matches

2

Domestic cricket structure revamped with new groupings

3

Umpire and match referee development initiatives launched

4

Duleep Trophy to kickstart 2025-26 domestic season

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) held its 28th Apex Council meeting on Saturday, where the venues for the home white-ball series between India and New Zealand were approved.

"We are in favour of promoting cricket in Chhattisgarh. Two matches will be played in Chhattisgarh, one between India and South Africa and the other between India and New Zealand. This is a great achievement for Raipur. We are trying to promote cricket here...," Rajiv Shukla told the reporters.

The Apex Council confirmed the venues for India's upcoming white-ball home series against New Zealand, scheduled to be held in early 2026. The series will have three ODIs to be held at Baroda (January 11), Rajkot (January 14) and Indore (January 18) and five T20Is to take place at Nagpur (January 21), Raipur (January 23), Guwahati (January 25), Vizag (January 28) and Trivandrum (January 31).

The BCCI Domestic Season 2025-26 was also approved during the meeting. The season will start with the Duleep Trophy (August 28, 2025) and conclude with the Senior Women's Inter-Zonal Multi-Day Trophy (April 3, 2026).

There have been some key changes made to domestic cricket tournaments and structure:

*The Duleep Trophy and Senior Women's Challenger tournaments will now be contested between six zonal teams selected by zonal selectors.

*Plate Group restructuring has been introduced across age categories. The bottom 6 teams (based on the previous season's rankings) will be placed in the Plate Group for limited-overs tournaments.

*Promotion/relegation rules updated: Only one team will be promoted/relegated between Elite and Plate groups going forward.

*Tournament Format Updates: The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Senior Women's T20 Trophy will now include a Super League stage instead of a traditional knockout.

*New Grouping Formats: Major tournaments such as Vijay Hazare Trophy, Senior Women's One Day Trophy, and Men's U23 State A Trophy will follow a 4 Elite Groups + 1 Plate Group model. Most junior and women's tournaments (U16, U19, U23) have moved to a 5 Elite + 1 Plate group structure.

The Apex Council has resolved to establish a Working Group comprising five (5) 'Umpire Coaches' to oversee the development of umpires and enhance their on-field performance. These five 'Umpire Coaches' must possess international umpiring experience and have served as former umpires.

Additionally, the Apex Council has decided to form a Working Group consisting of three (3) former Match Referees. This Working Group will be responsible for monitoring the development of match referees and providing them with opportunities to improve their performance in cricket matches.

Reader Comments

Here are 6 diverse Indian perspective comments for the cricket article:
P
Priyanka M.
Great move by BCCI to take cricket to smaller cities! Raipur deserves this opportunity after producing talents like Parthiv Patel. Hope to see more matches in Northeast states too 🇮🇳🏏
A
Amit K.
While expanding cricket is good, why always the same few cities get repeated? What about Jammu, Srinagar or Port Blair? Cricket should truly be pan-India, not just metro + 2-3 new venues.
R
Rahul S.
The new domestic structure looks promising! Super League in SMAT will give more games to young players. But BCCI should ensure proper facilities in all venues - last time Raipur stadium had drainage issues during rain.
S
Sunita P.
As a cricket mom from Chhattisgarh, this makes me so happy! My son trains at Naya Raipur academy and now he can dream of watching Kohli play in our city 😊 More matches = more inspiration for local kids!
V
Vikram J.
Good initiative but ticket prices should be kept reasonable. Last time in smaller venues, black market tickets were sold at 5x price. BCCI needs better monitoring or real fans can't afford to go.
N
Neha T.
Happy to see focus on women's cricket too with the Inter-Zonal trophy! But why no women's international matches in Raipur? If we're promoting cricket, should promote both men's and women's equally.

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