Priyanka
Share
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a major change to the Duleep Trophy tournament format, reverting to the traditional inter-zonal structure. This decision marks a shift from the recent four-team format used in the Challenger Trophy style, where teams A, B, C, and D were selected based on Ranji Trophy performances.
Under the new format, six zonal teams—North, South, East, West, Central, and North-East—will compete in the prestigious first-class tournament. This move is expected to allow a broader pool of domestic players to showcase their talent. Previously, the Duleep Trophy followed the zonal system from its inception in 1961-62 until 2014-15. In 2015, former Indian captain Rahul Dravid, then head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA), recommended shifting to a Challenger-style format with teams like India Blue, Red, and Green, a structure that continued until 2019. The tournament was not held during the 2020 and 2021 seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last year, the tournament saw good participation from notable players despite the four-team format, but feedback from various state associations indicated dissatisfaction with the selection process. Many believed that the format limited opportunities for emerging and consistent performers from across the country.
With the return to the zonal system, the aim is to involve a wider base of players from all 38 state associations, improving scouting and providing a fairer platform for national selection. This format also reinstates the zonal selection committees. However, it remains to be seen whether national selectors from each zone—except the North Zone, which currently lacks a representative—will now serve as permanent invitees to their respective zonal panels.
This structural overhaul reflects the BCCI's intent to strengthen the domestic cricket pipeline and create more opportunities for player development across the country.
