Ricky Ponting or Kevin Pietersen playing in the Ranji Trophy is now quite a possibility with the BCCI Technical Committee on Saturday allowing state associations to add a foreigner in their squads.

The Sunil Gavaskar-led committee, which met at the Cricket Centre, decided to allow associations four 'guest' players -- from outside the state -- in their side.

"One of the four players could be a cricketer from overseas, who has played at least 10 Tests and/or 20 ODIs," BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah said in a statement.

"However, a maximum of three 'Guest' players will be permitted to figure in the playing XI at a given point of time.

"The last date for the state associations to register the 'Guest' players will be 1st September every year," Shah said.

The meeting was attended by Gavaskar, Yashpal Sharma, M P Pandove, Snehasis Ganguly, V K Ramaswamy, C R Mohite. Vinod Mathur, Chinmaya Sharma, Shah, BCCI Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty and special invitee Ajay Shirke.

The committee also deliberated on the amendments in the playing conditions for domestic tournaments and there was a consensus that the original 'Powerplay' rule be retained in the forthcoming season.