What is the Duleep Trophy? All You Need to Know
In the world of Indian cricket, the domestic tournaments have paved the path for many youngsters to showcase their talent. A for nation that loves cricket so much has different kinds of tournaments and one of them is the Duleep Trophy which is one of the most popular domestic tournaments in the Indian cricket board.
In an effort to elevate domestic cricket to a national level, the BCCI launched this competition for the first time during the 1961–62 season. Teams from the various regions of India the North, South, East, West, and Central zones competed in the first edition of the Duleep Trophy.
Typically, the competition is held amongst various national zones, with approximately six zones designated to participate in this domestic competition. The teams competing in the Duleep Trophy are splited into geographical zones, with players from the Ranji Trophy teams based in those zones making up each zonal team.
Also Read: Pakistan vs Bangladesh Ticket Price INR 15
Starstudded Duleep Trophy for 2024-25 Season
The 2024 Duleep Trophy is scheduled to begin on September 5 at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, and it is anticipated that elite international cricket players will take part. Senior players like Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and KL Rahul are expected to join the competing teams as per a recent BCCI decision.
According to multiple reports, even Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Rishabh Pant may also take part in this season’s tournament. If Rohit and Virat choose to play, it will be Rohit’s first domestic appearance since 2021 and Virat’s first since 2015, adding significant excitement to the event.
DOWNLOAD: STUMPSANDBAILS FANTASY CRICKET APP
Duleep Trophy History and Culture
The tournament’s organization and format have changed throughout time, but it has remained a significant component of India’s cricketing heritage. One of the oldest and most prominent first-class cricket competitions in India, the Duleep Trophy has been a mainstay of domestic cricket in India since its start.
In recent years, the tournament has reverted to its zonal format, marking a significant shift in its structure. The 2022-23 season saw the addition of a new North East Zone team, increasing the total number of participating teams to six.
This expansion has added a fresh dynamic to the competition, which is now played in a knockout format featuring semifinals and a final. The inclusion of the North East Zone not only diversifies the tournament but also boosts the competition, making the journey to the championship more challenging and exciting.
Teams That Participate in Duleep Trophy?
- North East Zone: Manipur, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim, and Nagaland
- South Zone: Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Hyderabad, Karnataka, Kerala, and Pondicherry
- Central Zone: Madhya Pradesh, Railways, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Vidarbha, and Uttar Pradesh
- East Zone: Assam, Bihar, Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Tripura
- West Zone: Maharashtra, Mumbai, Baroda, Saurashtra, and Gujarat
- North Zone: Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Services and Punjab
