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Xtra Time Web Desk: Former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri is not in favour of cancelling Ranji Trophy in a second consecutive year. India's top level first class tournament was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has since come under pressure to reschedule the Ranji Trophy.

"The Ranji Trophy is the backbone of Indian cricket. The moment you start ignoring it our cricket will be SPINELESS!" Shastri said in a tweet.

Shastri and other Indian players have repeatedly credited the Ranji Trophy for providing India with a depth of talent to choose from in Test cricket. Earlier, fast bowler Jaydev Unadkat, who captains Saurashtra, also expressed his disappointment that the tournament had been postponed.

"Two years in a row would be a great loss. One year itself was a great loss. When we started our pre-season camp before the eventual postponement, it felt like a whole new game," Unadkat told PTI.

"Leaving the ball, bowling with pace and bowling long spells. All that had gone out of the picture. It is going to be difficult for sure if it doesn't happen this year too.

Dhumal said, "We are exploring all the possibilities of holding the Ranji Trophy. We are keen to hold it, it seems that cases are coming down and it's important to have this tournament."

"We are exploring all the possibilities of holding the Ranji Trophy. We are keen to hold it, it seems that cases are coming down and it's important to have this tournament," Dhumal said.

"The operations team will work out the logistics and if everything goes well, we might start from mid-February. A final call will be taken soon, we are looking at all the factors," he added when asked about possible dates.

Meanwhile, BCCI secretary Jay Shah said earlier this month that the board is looking at options to host IPL 2022 in India but is also considering back-up options, which include the UAE and South Africa.