The Duleep Trophy competition in early September 2024–25 will mark the start of the senior men’s Indian domestic cricket season.
Duleep Trophy 2024: An Invite For Red-Ball Aspirants
The Duleep Trophy, mostly used as a warm-up before India’s home Test series and their trip to Australia later this year, is getting a makeover in terms of organization and format. Typically conducted in six zones throughout the nation, the Duleep Trophy functioned as a platform for India’s red-ball aspirants to showcase their skills. South Zone, captained by Hanuma Vihari, defeated West Zone in the Bengaluru final by a score of 75 runs to win the title the previous season.
The BCCI has, however, made the decision to abandon both the zonal selection process and the six-team format this time around. This time around, the event will comprise four teams: India A, India B, India C, and India D. The senior national selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, will choose the teams.
Dates and Venues
This year’s Duleep Trophy 2024 will be played in a league-based round-robin format without knockout games. After three rounds, the team at the top of the standings will be crowned the victor.
In Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, two locations within the Anantapur Cricket Ground complex will host the majority of the upcoming Duleep Trophy matches. According to information provided to The Indian Express, one first-round match would also take place in Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Three rounds of the competition will take place from September 5 to September 22.
Duleep Trophy 2024: Senior Players To Grace The Ground?
According to The Indian Express, the following players have been invited to participate in the Duleep Trophy: Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Surykumar Yadav, and Kuldeep Yadav. Because he was given a lengthy recovery time, speedster Jasprit Bumrah will not place in the competition.
Virat Kohli and India skipper Rohit Sharma are probably going to be involved in a tournament round. While Kohli hasn’t played in a domestic First-Class match since 2012, Rohit last participated in the Duleep Trophy in 2016.
The Schedule
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
