The Duleep Trophy 2024-25 marks the beginning of the senior men’s Indian domestic cricket season, set to commence in early September. This tournament is crucial for players aiming to secure a spot in India’s home Test series and the upcoming tour to Australia later this year.
Revamped Format and Structure
Traditionally, the Duleep Trophy has been played in a zonal format, with teams representing the six geographical zones of India—North, South, East, West, Central, and North-East. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced significant changes for the 2024-25 season. This year, the tournament will feature four teams: India A, India B, India C, and India D. These teams will be selected by the senior national selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar.
This revamped structure replaces the previous zonal selection process, streamlining the competition and ensuring a more competitive environment. The tournament will be played in a round-robin league format, with no knockout rounds. The team that tops the standings after three rounds will be crowned the Duleep Trophy champion for 2024-25.
Historical Context and Last Season’s Highlights
Last season, the Duleep Trophy saw intense competition, with South Zone, led by Hanuma Vihari, emerging victorious. They clinched the title by defeating West Zone by 75 runs in the final held in Bengaluru. This victory added another feather to South Zone’s cap in the prestigious history of the Duleep Trophy, a tournament that has long been a platform for India’s red-ball cricket aspirants to showcase their talent.
Venues and Schedule for Duleep Trophy 2024-25
The upcoming edition of the Duleep Trophy will be hosted primarily at two venues within the Anantapur Cricket Ground complex in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh. The BCCI has also slated one match from the first round to be held at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The tournament will span from September 5 to September 22, with three rounds of matches determining the ultimate winner.
Duleep Trophy 2024-25 Full Schedule:
- September 5-8, 2024:
- India A vs India B – Venue: Rural Development Trust Stadium, Anantapur* (Venue subject to change)
- 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
- 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
- India B vs India D – Venue: ACA ADCA Ground, Anantapur
Star Players and Possible Inclusions
This year’s Duleep Trophy could see participation from several high-profile Indian cricketers. The BCCI has reportedly asked players like Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav, and Kuldeep Yadav to take part in the tournament. Their participation will add significant star power and elevate the competition’s standard.
However, speedster Jasprit Bumrah has been given an extended rest and will not participate in the tournament. The Indian Express has also hinted that Indian captain Rohit Sharma and star batsman Virat Kohli might feature in one round of the Duleep Trophy. Rohit last played in the Duleep Trophy in 2016, while Kohli hasn’t participated in a domestic First-Class match since 2012. Their potential involvement could draw significant attention to the tournament.
Conclusion
The Duleep Trophy 2024-25 is set to be an exciting and crucial part of India’s domestic cricket season. With a revamped format and the possibility of star players featuring in the matches, the tournament will be closely watched by fans and selectors alike. As the competition unfolds across the scenic venues in Anantapur and Bengaluru, it will offer a platform for emerging talents to stake their claim for a place in the national team, while also providing established players with valuable match practice ahead of the international season.
stay in touch with 50news for the latest sports news.