The Railways cricket team will play its 2026-27 Ranji Trophy home matches at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai, a first for the club that has traditionally hosted its fixtures at the Karnail Singh Stadium in New Delhi. The move brings first-class cricket back to the Cricket Club of India (CCI) venue for the first time in more than three years.
Railways, placed in Elite Group D, will play three home ties at Brabourne. The season opens against Uttarakhand from October 11-14, followed by a match against 42-time champions Mumbai from November 2-5. That fixture will be an away game for Mumbai. Railways then face Haryana from January 17-20.
The venue last staged a Ranji Trophy match between Mumbai and Maharashtra from January 24-27, 2023, which ended in a draw. Brabourne has hosted 16 Ranji Trophy finals, the most of any ground in India.
Sachin Bajaj, a senior CCI member and cricket enthusiast, told the Times of India that the arrangement came together through a conversation with Railways head coach Syed Zakaria Zuffri, a former Assam and Railways wicketkeeper-batsman.
"I'm truly happy that the Ranji Trophy is returning to the CCI. The Brabourne Stadium has staged the maximum number of Ranji Trophy finals (16) in India. There's a replica of the Ranji Trophy in the CCI main hall, which was kept by former BCCI and CCI president Raj Singh Dungarpur many years back. So, there has always been a special and cherished relationship between Brabourne stadium," Bajaj said.
"My old friend Syed Zakaria Zuffri requested to me if the CCI could stage Railways' home Ranji Trophy matches in the upcoming season. I asked him to contact CCI's Cricket committee vice-chairman Mayank Khandwala in this regard. I must appreciate the efforts of Mayank and the CCI cricket committee in making this happen."
Khandwala described the return of the Ranji Trophy to Brabourne as a significant moment for the club.
"It is a matter of immense pride and great emotion for all of us at the Cricket Club of India to welcome the Ranji Trophy back to Brabourne Stadium after a significant interval. Cricket at CCI is not merely a sport, it is part of the Club's identity, its heritage and its soul. For generations, Brabourne Stadium has witnessed some of the finest moments in Indian cricket and has been privileged to host legendary players, great teams and memorable encounters," Khandwala said.
"The Ranji Trophy has always held a very special place in that extraordinary history. The return of first-class cricket to CCI is therefore much more than the staging of a few matches. It is the revival of a proud cricketing tradition and the reopening of a historic chapter. We are particularly delighted that Railways have chosen CCI as their home ground. We are honoured to partner with them and are committed to providing the players, officials and spectators with the very best facilities and an environment befitting the stature of the Ranji Trophy."
Khandwala also framed the decision as part of a broader effort to keep the club's cricketing heritage alive for younger audiences.
"As the vice-chairman of the Cricket Committee at CCI, I believe strongly that our responsibility is not only to preserve the magnificent cricketing legacy of this institution, but also to keep that legacy alive for the next generation. Bringing premier domestic cricket back to Brabourne is an important part of that vision. The Ranji Trophy represents the foundation of Indian cricket. It is where talent is tested, characters are built and future international stars begin their journey," he added.
"To have that journey once again unfolding at CCI is something we should all celebrate. The Brabourne Stadium has a history that speaks for itself. Now, we look forward to creating the next chapter. On behalf of CCI, we extend a warm welcome to Railways, the players, support staff, match officials, the BCCI and, most importantly, cricket lovers who will return to CCI to experience the magic of first-class cricket. The Ranji Trophy is coming home to CCI. The heritage continues, and the next chapter begins."
The announcement follows confirmation earlier this month that India will host the inaugural ICC Women's Champions Trophy in 2027. That tournament, scheduled for February 14-28, 2027, will use Brabourne Stadium and the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara as venues.
The CCI is currently installing new floodlights at Brabourne. Khandwala said the lights would be commissioned by October 10-15.
Railways have won the Ranji Trophy twice, in 2001-02 and 2004-05. They have struggled in recent seasons and finished fourth in Elite Group C in the 2025-26 edition with 23 points from seven matches, failing to advance beyond the league stage.
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