India’s domestic cricket schedule for 2025-26 promises a packed season of high-stakes matches across various formats, age groups, and genders. Organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), this calendar features 37 tournaments, including 20 for men and 17 for women.
From first-class red-ball games to fast-paced T20 clashes and 50-over limited-overs battles, the season kicks off with the Duleep Trophy on August 28, 2025, and runs through April 2026. Key highlights include the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for seniors, alongside age-group events like the Cooch Behar Trophy and Women’s U19 T20 Trophy.
With elite and plate divisions ensuring competitive balance, fans can expect talent scouting, zonal rivalries, and pathways to international cricket.
Whether tracking BCCI domestic season updates, Ranji Trophy 2025-26 dates, or women’s cricket calendars, here breaks down the full Indian cricket schedule 2025-26.
What Are the Key Features of India’s 2025-26 Domestic Cricket Season?
The BCCI domestic cricket season 2025-26 emphasizes inclusivity, with tournaments divided into elite and plate groups for fair play. Formats span multi-day first-class cricket, 50-over one-day matches, and T20 cricket, fostering skills for Test, ODI, and T20I levels.
Zonal competitions like the Duleep Trophy and inter-zonal trophies add regional flavor. The schedule accommodates international commitments, with breaks between phases in major events like the Ranji Trophy.
Women’s cricket sees expanded focus, aligning with India’s push for gender parity in the sport.
This setup not only hones young talent in U19, U23, and U16 categories but also provides platforms for university-level play in events like the Vizzy Trophy.
What Is the Men’s Domestic Cricket Schedule for 2025-26?
Men’s tournaments dominate the early part of the season, starting with red-ball action and transitioning to white-ball formats. Below is the complete men’s Indian domestic cricket calendar 2025-26, including dates, formats, and phases for elite and plate groups.
| Tournament | Format | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Duleep Trophy | First-Class (Senior Men) | Aug 28-Sep 15, 2025 |
| Irani Cup | First-Class (Senior Men) | Oct 1-5, 2025 |
| Ranji Trophy (Elite) | First-Class (Senior Men) | Oct 15-Nov 19, 2025 (Phase 1) Jan 22-Feb 28, 2026 (Phase 2) |
| Ranji Trophy (Plate) | First-Class (Senior Men) | Oct 15-Nov 19, 2025 Jan 22-26, 2026 (Final) |
| Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (Elite) | T20 (Senior Men) | Nov 26-Dec 18, 2025 |
| Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (Plate) | T20 (Senior Men) | Nov 26-Dec 6, 2025 |
| Vijay Hazare Trophy (Elite) | 50-Over (Senior Men) | Dec 24, 2025-Jan 18, 2026 |
| Vijay Hazare Trophy (Plate) | 50-Over (Senior Men) | Dec 24, 2025-Jan 6, 2026 |
| Col. C.K. Nayudu Trophy (Elite) | First-Class (U23 Men) | Oct 16-Nov 5, 2025 (Phase 1) Jan 23-Mar 12, 2026 (Phase 2) |
| Col. C.K. Nayudu Trophy (Plate) | First-Class (U23 Men) | Oct 16-Nov 5, 2025 (Phase 1) Jan 23-Feb 9, 2026 (Phase 2) |
| Men’s U23 State A Trophy (Elite) | 50-Over (U23 Men) | Nov 9-Dec 1, 2025 |
| Men’s U23 State A Trophy (Plate) | 50-Over (U23 Men) | Nov 9-19, 2025 |
| Vinoo Mankad Trophy (Elite) | 50-Over (U19 Men) | Oct 9-Nov 1, 2025 |
| Vinoo Mankad Trophy (Plate) | 50-Over (U19 Men) | Oct 9-19, 2025 |
| Men’s U19 One Day Challenger Trophy | 50-Over (U19 Men) | Nov 5-11, 2025 |
| Cooch Behar Trophy (Elite) | Multi-day (U19 Men) | Nov 16-Jan 20, 2026 |
| Cooch Behar Trophy (Plate) | Multi-day (U19 Men) | Nov 16-Dec 27, 2025 |
| Vijay Merchant Trophy (Elite) | Multi-day (U16 Men) | Dec 7-Jan 28, 2026 |
| Vijay Merchant Trophy (Plate) | Multi-day (U16 Men) | Dec 7-Jan 7, 2026 |
| Vizzy Trophy | Inter-University | Mar 1-7, 2026 |
This table captures the essence of men’s BCCI domestic tournaments 2025-26, from senior first-class cricket to junior multi-day events.
What Are the Senior Men’s Tournaments in 2025-26?
Senior men’s cricket anchors the season with flagship events. The Duleep Trophy, a zonal first-class tournament, launches proceedings from August 28 to September 15, 2025, featuring six teams in red-ball battles.
The Irani Cup follows October 1-5, pitting Ranji Trophy 2024-25 winners Vidarbha against a Rest of India side.
The Ranji Trophy 2025-26, India’s premier first-class competition, splits into two phases: October 15-November 19, 2025, and January 22-February 28, 2026, for elite groups, with plate finals by January 26.
White-ball action fills the gap Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) T20s from November 26-December 18, 2025, and Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 50-overs from December 24, 2025-January 18, 2026. These tournaments scout IPL talent and build ODI/T20 skills.
What Are the Under-23 Men’s Tournaments in 2025-26?
Under-23 men’s events focus on emerging stars. The Col. C.K. Nayudu Trophy, a first-class affair, runs in phases: October 16-November 5, 2025, and January 23-March 12, 2026, for elite, with plate ending February 9.
Between phases, the Men’s U23 State A Trophy offers 50-over cricket from November 9-December 1, 2025. These build red-ball endurance and limited-overs flair for future Ranji players.
What Are the Under-19 Men’s Tournaments in 2025-26?
U19 cricket nurtures juniors with the Vinoo Mankad Trophy 50-overs starting October 9-November 1, 2025. The Men’s U19 One Day Challenger Trophy follows November 5-11.
Red-ball focus shifts to the Cooch Behar Trophy from November 16-January 20, 2026, for elite groups. These align with India U19 team selections for World Cups.
What Are the Under-16 Men’s Tournaments in 2025-26?
U16 boys compete in the Vijay Merchant Trophy, a multi-day red-ball event from December 7, 2025-January 28, 2026, emphasizing foundational skills.
What Is the Inter-University Men’s Tournament in 2025-26?
The Vizzy Trophy, a 50-over inter-zonal university competition, occurs March 1-7, 2026, bridging academics and cricket.
What Is the Women’s Domestic Cricket Schedule for 2025-26?
Women’s cricket gains momentum with 17 tournaments. Here’s the full women’s Indian domestic cricket schedule 2025-26.
| Tournament | Format | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Women’s T20 Trophy (Elite) | T20 (Senior Women) | Oct 8-Oct 31, 2025 |
| Senior Women’s T20 Trophy (Plate) | T20 (Senior Women) | Oct 8-Oct 17, 2025 |
| Senior Women’s Interzonal T20 Trophy | T20 (Senior Women) | Nov 4-14, 2025 |
| Senior Women’s One Day Trophy (Elite) | 50-Over (Senior Women) | Feb 6-28, 2026 |
| Senior Women’s One Day Trophy (Plate) | 50-Over (Senior Women) | Feb 6-16, 2026 |
| Senior Women’s Interzonal One Day Trophy | 50-Over (Senior Women) | Mar 5-15, 2026 |
| Senior Women’s Interzonal Multi-Day Trophy | First-Class (Senior Women) | Mar 20-Apr 3, 2026 |
| Women’s U23 T20 Trophy (Elite) | T20 (U23 Women) | Nov 24-Dec 11, 2025 |
| Women’s U23 T20 Trophy (Plate) | T20 (U23 Women) | Nov 24-Dec 3, 2025 |
| Women’s U23 One Day Trophy (Elite) | 50-Over (U23 Women) | Mar 3-22, 2026 |
| Women’s U23 One Day Trophy (Plate) | 50-Over (U23 Women) | Mar 3-13, 2026 |
| Women’s U19 T20 Trophy (Elite) | T20 (U19 Women) | Oct 26-Nov 12, 2025 |
| Women’s U19 T20 Trophy (Plate) | T20 (U19 Women) | Oct 26-Nov 4, 2025 |
| Women’s U19 One Day Trophy (Elite) | 50-Over (U19 Women) | Dec 13-Jan 1, 2026 |
| Women’s U19 One Day Trophy (Plate) | 50-Over (U19 Women) | Dec 13-23, 2025 |
| Women’s U15 One Day Trophy (Elite) | 50-Over (U15 Women) | Jan 2-Jan 21, 2026 |
| Women’s U15 One Day Trophy (Plate) | 50-Over (U15 Women) | Jan 2-12, 2026 |
This outlines women’s BCCI tournaments 2025-26, promoting growth in female cricket.
What Are the Senior Women’s Tournaments in 2025-26?
Senior women start with the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy from October 8-31, 2025, followed by the Interzonal T20 Trophy November 4-14.
One-dayers resume with the Senior Women’s One Day Trophy February 6-28, 2026, and Interzonal One Day Trophy March 5-15.
The season ends with the Senior Women’s Interzonal Multi-Day Trophy March 20-April 3, boosting red-ball experience.
What Are the Under-23 Women’s Tournaments in 2025-26?
U23 women play the Women’s U23 T20 Trophy November 24-December 11, 2025, then the One Day Trophy March 3-22, 2026, developing all-format players.
What Are the Under-19 Women’s Tournaments in 2025-26?
U19 girls feature in the Women’s U19 T20 Trophy October 26-November 12, 2025, and One Day Trophy December 13-January 1, 2026.
What Are the Under-15 Women’s Tournaments in 2025-26?
U15 teams compete in the Women’s U15 One Day Trophy January 2-21, 2026, focusing on grassroots talent.
FAQ
When Does the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 Start?
October 15, 2025, with Phase 1 ending November 19 and Phase 2 from January 22, 2026.
What Is the Duleep Trophy Schedule for 2025-26?
August 28-September 15, 2025, as the season opener.
Are There Separate Elite and Plate Groups in Domestic Tournaments?
Yes, most events like Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy have elite and plate divisions.
When Is the Women’s Senior Multi-Day Trophy?
March 20-April 3, 2026, promoting first-class women’s cricket.
India’s 2025-26 domestic schedule fuels cricket’s future, blending tradition with development. From Ranji rivalries to U19 stars, it’s a must-follow. Which tournament excites you? Share below and stay updated on BCCI events!
