The Ray-Ban-CricInfo domestic ratings work on a staggered system of awarding points for runs scored or wickets picked in each innings. Such a system is intended to favour batsmen with a penchant for tall scores or bowlers with the ability to blaze through entire batting line-ups on their own steam. The rankings are updated each month, making it easy to track the progress of a player up or down the charts.

For these first-class ratings, Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy and Irani Trophy matches are considered. The points from each match are accumulated over a season. The rankings reflect the changes each month of the previous month's performances. The annual topper is declared at the end of the first-class season, upon which the slate is wiped clean again for the next season.

In addition, a system of weighting opposition is in the wings. Based on a team's performance over the last five years, with percentage of wins being the key statistic, the system will enable players to be awarded points based on the ranking of the opposition. A century against Mumbai or Karnataka, for example, will count for more than a century against Tripura.

The Ray-Ban-CricInfo ratings are therefore a definitive indicator of domestic talent, enabling cricket-lovers across the world to track the stars before they become stars.