The Ranji Trophy 2026-27 season will start on Sunday, October 11, with 38 teams competing in the Elite and Plate Leagues. The first round will see 19 matches at various venues in the country as India's premier domestic first-class cricket competition begins. The tournament will run until March 3, 2027.

The Elite League will have four groups of eight teams each, while the Plate League comprises six teams. Jammu and Kashmir will defend their title in the new season, as they won their maiden Ranji Trophy in the 2025–26 season, led by captain Paras Dogra; Bihar will hold their Plate League title after they were promoted to the Elite League, while Nagaland will drop to the Plate League.

Ranji Trophy 2026-27: Elite League groups

The Elite League consists of 32 teams across 4 groups, with a mixture of traditional domestic sides and those looking to make an impact this season.

Elite Group A
Baroda
Bihar
Goa
Jammu and Kashmir
Madhya Pradesh
Puducherry
Uttar Pradesh
Vidarbha

Elite Group B
Andhra
Assam
Chhattisgarh
Hyderabad
Karnataka
Punjab
Saurashtra
Tripura

Elite Group C
Bengal
Delhi

Elite Group D
Chandigarh
Haryana
Himachal Pradesh
mumbai
Railways
Rajasthan
Uttarakhand

Ranji Trophy 2026-27: Plate League teams

Six teams will compete in the Plate League for the 2026–27 season. The group consists of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim.

Bihar won the Plate League last season and was promoted to the Elite League. Meanwhile, Nagaland will compete in the Plate League after being relegated from the Elite division.

Ranji Trophy 2026-27: When and where to watch?

When will the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 begin?

The 2026–27 season of the Ranji Trophy will begin on 11 October 2026, and is scheduled to conclude on 3 March 2027.

Where to watch the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 live on TV?

According to the given broadcast details, the tournament will be telecast on Star Sports channels under the JioStar Network.

Where to watch the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 live streaming online?

The matches will be streamed live on the JioHotstar app, with a subscription required.

Ranji Trophy 2026-27: Frequently asked questions

When will the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 commence?

As per the given information, the tournament is scheduled to begin on Sunday, 11 October 2026.

Which team are the defending Ranji Trophy champions?

Jammu and Kashmir are the defending Elite League champions, having won their maiden title in the 2025–26 season. Bihar are the defending Plate League champions.

How many teams will participate in the Ranji Trophy 2026-27?

A total of 38 teams will participate, with 32 teams competing in the Elite League and six teams in the Plate League.

Where can fans watch the Ranji Trophy 2026-27?

As per the given broadcast information, fans can watch the tournament on Star Sports channels and stream matches on JioHotstar, with a subscription required.