New Delhi, Oct. 12 -- Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar believes the inclusion of the Plate teams in the Ranji Trophy has lowered the level of the competition. The Ranji Trophy started in 1934-25 with the teams grouped geographically into four or five zones, until the format change post 2001-02 season.

From the 2002-03 season onwards, the BCCI replaced the zonal system by a two-tiered league stage comprising the Elite (higher tier) and Plate Groups (lower tier). In the ongoing Ranji Trophy, there are four Elite Groups - A, B, C and D - comprising of eight teams each.

The Plate Group consists of six teams, where the top two teams qualify for the Plate Final. The winner of the Plate Final then earns a promotion to the Elite Group in th...