The Working Committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India meeting in New Delhi today decided to approve the recommendations of the Special Committee on the revision of the Ranji Trophy format. The technical committee, headed by former skipper Sourav Ganguly last month suggested that the 27 teams be divided into three groups of nine sides each instead of having the division in two groups – Elite and Plate.The teams will now be able to play eight matches each in the league stages before qualifying for the quarter-finals. In addition to the above decision, the inter-state tournament for the under-22s will be referred to as the 'A' teams tournament, and will feature cricketers in the under-25 age-group. Approval was also given to have the winner of the Vijay Hazare Trophy to play in NKP Salve Challenger Trophy with the other two teams to be picked by the All-India Senior Selection Committee.