The 2024-25 senior men’s Indian domestic cricket season will begin with the Duleep Trophy tournament in early September.
Played primarily as a preparatory event ahead of India’s home Test series and the tour to Australia later this year, the Duleep Trophy will see a revamp in its structure and overall system. Usually played in the zonal format, across six zones of the country, the Duleep Trophy served as a tournament that offered India’s red-ball hopefuls a chance to shine. Last season, Hanuma Vihari-led South Zone won the title, beating West Zone by 75 runs in the final in Bengaluru.
However, the BCCI has decided to do away with the six-team zonal format and zonal selections this time. Instead, four teams, namely India A, India B, India C and India D will feature in the tournament this time. The teams will be selected by the senior national selection committee chaired by Ajit Agarkar.
The Duleep Trophy will be played in a round-robin league-based format with no knockout matches this year. The team at the top of the standings after three rounds will be declared the winner.
The upcoming Duleep Trophy will predominantly be played at two venues within the Anantapur Cricket Ground complex in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh. The Indian Express understands that one match from the first round is also slated to be held at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The tournament will run from September 5 to September 22 across three rounds.
The Indian Express understands that Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Surykumar Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav have been asked to play in the Duleep Trophy. Speedster Jasprit Bumrah won’t plat the tournament as he has been given a prolonged rest period.
India captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are also likely to feature in a round of the tournament. Rohit last featured in the Duleep Trophy in 2016 while Kohli has not featured in a domestic First-Class match since 2012.
September 5-8, 2024: India A vs India B – Venue: Rural Development Trust Stadium, Anantapur* (Venue subject to change)
September 5-8, 2024: India C vs India D – Venue: ACA ADCA Ground, Anantapur* (Venue subject to change)
September 12-15, 2024: India A vs India D – Venue: Rural Development Trust Stadium, Anantapur
September 12-15, 2024: India B vs India C – Venue: ACA ADCA Ground, Anantapur
September 19-22, 2024: India A vs India C – Venue: Rural Development Trust Stadium, Anantapur
September 19-22, 2024: India B vs India D – Venue: ACA ADCA Ground, Anantapur
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