In Indian domestic cricket, the Ranji Trophy continues to hold a prestigious position. The IPL might have caught the fancy of a much larger audience but for the players and selectors, a good performance in a game like the Ranji Trophy final is second to none. And the reason for that is quite simple.
RANJI TROPHY 2017-18
Improved Delhi stand between Vidarbha and history
"If it happens (Vidarbha wins the Ranji Trophy, it will be the biggest moment of my career." - Faiz Fazal © BCCL
"Indian cricket owes a lot to the structure of the Ranji Trophy," tells India's chief selector MSK Prasad, to Cricbuzz. "Australia and other countries will be proud of the Sheffield Shield and India can feel the same about Ranji Trophy. Going through those tough initial rounds, and getting to a final takes a LOT of effort," he stresses.
And so the final of this tournament becomes all the more important. "Any Indian cricketer will tell you that he will love to win the Ranji Trophy. It still holds good in India. A performance in the Ranji final comes first for the pride of an Indian cricketer," says Prasad.
The players know it well. Delhi's skipper
