In the age of IPL, Ranji Trophy has lost its relevance to Indian Cricket

Ranji Trophy is a domestic first-class cricket championship played in India between teams representing regional cricket associations. The competition was launched as "The Cricket Championship of India" in July 1934. The first Ranji Trophy Championship was won by Bombay after they defeated North India in the final. Mumbai (formerly Bombay) have been the dominant team in the Championship so far, with 40 wins, including 15 back-to-back wins from 1958–59 to 1972–73. Delhi comes at second spot with 7 wins.

On the other hand, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is a Twenty20 cricket championship league in India.It was inaugurated in 2008. It is contested by nine teams as of 2013, consisting of players from around the cricketing world. The Indian Premier League is generally considered to be the highest-profile showcase in the world for Twenty20 (T20) cricket, the shortest form of professional cricket with just 20 overs per innings. The annual tournament, played in the months of April and May has gone from strength to strength and is largely viewed as being the ‘richest’ tournament in world cricket. The Chennai Super Kings are the most successful side in the history of the IPL.

With the introduction of IPL, a shorter game format with 20 overs each the match last for not more than three and half hours there are few cricket enthusiast left who have time to watch a 5 day Ranji match. A full package entertainment with blistering shots, cheerleaders grooving after every knock, players from all around the world playing for a club IPL is preferred over Ranji matches. Even players like Ashwin, Mohit Sharma, Shami Ahmed to name a few players are making it to Indian Team too. Inclusion of only 4 foreign players in playing 11, freshers are given a chance. With IPL globally popular even youngsters prefer playing IPL over Ranji. They may be successful in shorter run but they compromise with their class and consistency. Although IPL is constantly been criticized where allegations of cricket betting, money laundering and spot fixing were witnessed. Although these allegations is not right for Indian Cricket but the thing in demand is always preferred over and it seems Ranji Trophy is losing its relevance to Indian Cricket.