Uttarakhand to make Ranji Trophy debut this season: Vinod Rai

In a historic development for Uttarakhand cricket, Committee of Administrators member Vinod Rai confirmed that they will get to play in Ranji season after a gap of 18 years.

"I mean noble intent that they set aside all the differences among the different associations ensuring that Uttarakhand gets to play in Ranji and other games this year," Rai told ANI.

Further explaining the procedure, Rai said that a committee would be formed to monitor the development in the case.

"By consensus, a committee will be formed with Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) nominees in it which will start working from next week onwards. Six Members from different associations of Uttarakhand, one government nominee, two BCCI nominees," the CoA member informed.

The committee would be convened by BCCI nominee Professor Ratnakar Shetty.

Former CAG termed this development as positive and said that the state would start playing Ranji from "this season."

Players of Uttarakhand are forced to play for other states as the state had no BCCI-affiliated association.

As the number of teams in domestic is rising every year, the BCCI is likely to create a second division to bring the newcomers onboard.