The inclusion of all North Eastern states has forced BCCI to schedule an unprecedented 2017 (Two thousand and seventeen) domestic matches, which many fear would lead to logistical nightmare. A record 37 teams will take part in the Ranji Trophy this year (starting November 1) with addition of nine new teams and formation of a 'Plate' Group. The addition of Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Uttarakhand, Bihar has led to an exponential increase in number of matches from senior men, women to U-16 level (boys and girls).

While there will be nine teams each in Elite group A and B, there will be 10 teams in group C. The notable addition of the nine teams that will form the Plate Group this season are Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Puducherry, Sikkim & Uttarakhand.