Two-tier system easier said than done

mumbai: if the ranji trophy has to be played on a multi-tier system, it will have to undergo two major tests. first, it has to pass muster at the technical committee meeting in baroda on saturday and even if it does it has to be approved by the cricket board's technical committee. normally, the working committee approval is a formality, but it may not be in this case as the upcoming board's annual general meeting and the election will have a bearing on the decision.national cricket academy (nca) head coach balwinder singh sandhu has been advocating multi-tier system for a long time. according to him, when stronger teams clash the skills are tested. it's like the difference between the derby and other races. the ranji trophy format as it is now gives more importance to quantity (number of matches) than quality. teams like mumbai, karnataka, delhi and bengal haven't gained much playing gujarat, goa, himachal pradesh and bihar respectively year after year. another disadvantage is there's not punishment for poor performers. even if a team loses all its matches inside two days, it will still be in the competition the following year. sandhu has even suggested that the board shouldn't give financial grants to the states that fail to show progress. however, it won't suit the vote banks of the board. it is easier to say that the australian cricket board (acb) takes utmost care in running their domestic cricket. for, they have only six first-class teams whereas there are 27 in teams in the ranji trophy. it is that much harder to manage. board secretary, jaywant lele, was in favour of the multi-tier system and he has the backing of west zone associations. they suggested that a top bracket of eight teams should form the elite group and the rest be clubbed in the second division with an incentive of promotion. lele, however, appears to have a change of heart now and he is sympathetic towards weaker teams.``we have to think of others also. i doubt whether they will support the multi-tier system as segregation of teams would mean weaker teams not getting to play the stronger ones.'' had the multi-tier system been introduced last season, railways wouldn't have made the top tier. and they almost won the ranji trophy. they lost to baroda in final. advocaters of new format argue that rewards have to be earned, not demanded. outstanding players from weaker teams can always get into the zonal sides for the duleep and deodhar trophy and irani trophy. even as the debate was on, the board's programmes and fixtures committee went ahead and announced itineraries of both the duleep and ranji trophy. former chairman of selectors kishen rungta believes that more than the format, lack of proper facilities at remote venues and absence of stars from domestic competitions is the real problem.