Calcutta: Bengal have been clubbed with Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Karnataka, Delhi and Baroda in the Elite division group B of the Ranji Trophy. Bengal begin their campaign against Maharashtra in Pune on November 3.

The BCCI seems to be having second thoughts over this year’s Deodhar Trophy. The programme and fixtures committee had indicated that the inter-zonal limited-overs tournament may be scrapped due to a cramped domestic schedule.

“Schedules of the Deodhar Trophy and the Twenty20 Super League for the Mushtaq Ali Trophy are to be finalised in the working committee meeting.” BCCI secretary N. Srinivasan said while releasing the seniors’ domestic schedule for the 2009-10 season.

As already announced, the season will begin with the newly introduced Corporate Challenge Trophy from September 1-8 in south zone centres.

This would be followed by the traditional season-opening Irani Trophy clash between defending Ranji winners Mumbai and the Rest of India, from October 1-5 in Nagpur.