The Ranji Trophy 2021-22 is about to start from 17th February. And, the BCCI has already made a huge announcement that will benefit the teams in this Covid situation. BCCI has allowed a match-for-match replacement for Covid related issues for Ranji Trophy 2021-22. However, The match-for-match replacement will be approved by the match referee of that ongoing match.
In a statement posted on TOI, the BCCI has mentioned the following rule for the said like-for-like replacements. "If during the course of the relevant match, a player tests positive for COVID-19, displays covid symptoms, or is prevented from participating as a result of applicable COVID-19 health guidance, a COVID-19 replacement may be permitted in the following circumstances," the statement said.
Not only that, once the player has been replaced he will not be allowed to take further part in the match. In addition, both the player's stats will be taken into consideration for statistical calculations.
"Once the COVID-19 replacement has been approved by the BCCI match referee, the replaced player shall not take further part in the match. Both the Covid-19 replacement and the replaced player shall be considered to have played in the match for records and statistical purposes."
BCCI statement
The full statement said, "The positive test for COVID-19, symptoms of COVID-19 or public health guidance preventing participation must be formally confirmed by the Team Medical Representative and endorsed by an independent medical practitioner. The team medical representative or the team manager shall submit a 'COVID-19 Replacement Request' to the BCCI match referee on a standard form, which shall: identify the relevant player; specify whether the player has tested positive, is displaying covid symptoms, or is prevented from participating as a result of applicable public health guidance; and identify the requested COVID-19 replacement, who shall be a like-for-like replacement for the player whose replacement is requested. The BCCI match referee should ordinarily approve a replacement request if the replacement is a like-for-like player whose inclusion will not excessively advantage his team for the remainder of the match."
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The Ranji Trophy this season will be concluded in two phases. The knockout phase will start after the completion of IPL 2022. Only one team from each group will qualify for the knockout stage.