Happy days are here again!

The Indian cricket board announced its schedule for all domestic tournaments on Saturday which was sweet music to the ears of this cityrsquos firstclass cricketers who are itching for actionWith Covid19 ruining the 202021 home season it is hoped that things improve and this seasonrsquos domestic cricket plans are not disrupted by the pandemicAs per BCCIrsquos plan the menrsquos season will kick off with the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament on October 20 The 50over Vijay Hazare Trophy is scheduled to be held from February 23 next yearldquoThe season will commence on September 21 2021 with the Senior Womenrsquos One Day League and will be followed by the Senior Womenrsquos One Day Challenger Trophy which will take place from October 27 2021rdquo BCCI secretary Jay Shah said in a media releaseThe Ranji Trophy will be played from November 16 2021 to February 19 2022 while the Hazare final is slated for March 26 2022ldquoThe BCCI is confident of hosting the domestic season with health and safety of players and all people involved being paramountrdquo Shah addedHowever there was no mention of the Irani Cup Duleep and Deodhar Trophies all important events in earlier yearsmidday spoke to some Mumbai cricketing personalities on BCCIrsquos Saturday evening announcementAditya Tare Mumbai wicketkeeperbatsmanThis is positive news for firstclass cricket Ranji Trophy is our premier and best domestic tournament We firstclass players always enjoy playing it we missed it last season The tournament provides domestic cricketers major remuneration A minimum of 300 players will get around R10 to 15 lakh each from this firstclass season so itrsquos a big positive in terms of financial gains too This announcement will also help cricketers to mentally prepare well in advancesince they know the exact scheduleTushar Deshpande Mumbai pacerThis is confidenceboosting news The Ranji Trophy is a step towards the ultimate goalmdashIndia Test teammdashand everyone needs to perform their best at firstclass level We have big opportunities in the multiday format to take wickets and make it to the next level Last season we had only limitedovers tournaments and that too in a very short span so the time to prepare was very less But now with the domestic schedule announced well in advance it will help all cricketers to prepare wellHemangi Naik Mumbai senior womenrsquos team coachLast season the BCCI had only one tournament for senior women a oneday competition But this season there are tournaments in different formats senior U23 and U19 so it will be good exposure for us ample opportunities However the BCCI needs to take care of the longer format tournaments for us The BCCI had the Senior InterZone tournament threeday format last in 2017 If they reintroduce that tournament it will help womenrsquos cricketers to increase patience at the crease and better their performance I hear womenrsquos teams in other states have started their preparations so it will be good if the Mumbai Cricket Association can organise a camp for the probables and have practice sessionsSuved Parkar Former India U19 and current Mumbai U23 batsmanPlans to get competitive cricket back provides a nice and positive feeling No tournaments being held last season gave rise to a tough period mentally But I tried to keep my focus and prepared keeping in mind that there will be a season next year and so I should be ready for it That was the only motivation for meI know if I perform well in the U23 tournament I will get a chance in the Ranji TrophySayali Satghare Mumbai senior womenrsquos team skipperLast season we had only one tournament the senior oneday team event But this time we will have more tournaments in different formats for the senior U23 and U19 teams It will be almost a full season and itrsquos a big plus to conduct all tournaments We will get more matches to play something that we missed last season due to the lockdownAlso Read Figuring out Sir Richard Hadlee on his 70th birthdayScheduleMen Senior Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 October 20November 12 Ranji Trophy November 16February 19 Vijay Hazare February 23March 26U23 CK Nayudu Trophy November 18February 12 State A team onedayers February 23March 26U19 Vinoo Mankad Trophy September 28October 29 Challenger Trophy November 39 Cooch Behar Trophy November 14February 7U16 Vijay Merchant Trophy October 1December 6Women Senior One Day League September 21October 22 One Day Challenger October 2731 T20 League March 19 April 11U23 T20 League January 17February 7 Oneday League February 11March 15U19 One Day League October 131 T20 League November 427 One Day Challenger Trophy December 15