The Board of Control for Cricket in India will hold a conclave of skippers and coaches of Ranji Trophy teams to get a feedback about the tournament's new format and other matters pertaining to domestic cricket.
"The meeting will enable us to ascertain the views of a cross-section of players, about our new format for the Ranji Trophy," BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya said in Kolkata on Saturday.
Dalmiya said BCCI technical committee chief and former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar will be present at the meeting.
The board had introduced a two-tier Ranji Trophy format last season, with the top teams locking horns in the 'Elite' division, and the weaker ones fighting it out in the 'Plate' division.
The BCCI also intends using the occasion to get an update on the re-structured Duleep Trophy and new facilities, like gymnasiums being provided to the state associations.
"In a nutshell, we want to have a free and frank exchange of ideas on all matters concerning Indian cricket," Dalmiya said.
Dalmiya said the board may also ask Ranji Trophy captains and coaches to hold similar meetings in their respective associations.
On the new Duleep Trophy format, Dalmiya said he "strongly felt" that it needs to be discussed threadbare.
"The views and suggestions emanating from the meeting will help us in going in the right direction. Based on these discussions we may also go for modifications if needed," he said.
As a follow-up, details of the conclave's deliberations would be placed before various BCCI committees and sub-committees for concrete action.
Dalmiya said the board wants to hold the meeting at the earliest, but it is ascertaining the availability of a "good number of captains" before finalising the date.
"A umber of captains of various Ranji sides are now playing in overseas leagues. Therefore, we have to first ascertain how many are in the country now. There is no point in convening the meeting at a date when very few of them are available," the BCCI chief said.
In case a particular captain is unavailable, that state association would be asked to depute the vice-captain or a senior member.
This is the second time the board is holding such a meeting with captains and coaches of state sides. Earlier, when Dalmiya was BCCI secretary in the nineties a similar meeting was held.
