Duleep Trophy Returns with a Bang

The much-awaited Duleep Trophy is set to make a grand comeback with its 17th season, kicking off on September 5th. This year, the tournament is returning to its original team-based format, promising intense competition among four formidable squads.

A Return to Roots

After a brief experiment with a zonal format, the Duleep Trophy is reverting to its traditional team structure. This promises to bring back the excitement of inter-state rivalries and showcase the best talent in the country. The four teams, India A, India B, India C, and India D, will be meticulously selected by a panel led by Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar.

Star-Studded Squads

The squads for the Duleep Trophy boast an impressive array of talent, including both established stars and promising youngsters. From experienced campaigners like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane to rising sensations like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal, the tournament promises to be a showcase of India’s cricketing depth.

India A – Ruturaj , Padikkal , Pujara , KL (c) , Ishan (wk) , SKY , Axar , Saransh Jain , Harshit Rana , Deshpande and Saini

India B – Shubman (c) , Sudarshan , Rahane , Rinku , Ricky Bhui , Jadeja , KS Bharat (wk) , Pulkit Narang , Umran Malik , Avesh Khan and Yash Dayal

India C – Shaw , Easwaran , Patidar , Tilak , Shreyas (c) , Dhruv Jurel (wk) , Saurabh Kumar , Shardul , Kuldeep , Kaverappa and Prasidh

India D – Jaiswal , Agarwal , Pradosh Ranjan Paul , Sarfaraz , Pant (c) (wk) , Riyan Parag , Sundar , Manav Suthar , Akash Deep , Arshdeep and Mukesh Kumar

Battleground: Andhra Pradesh

The 2024 Duleep Trophy will be hosted in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The ACA ADCA Ground and the Rural Development Trust Stadium in Anantapur will be the venues for the six four-day matches. However, there’s a possibility that one of the opening matches might be shifted to Bengaluru due to logistical challenges.

The Schedule

The tournament is packed into a three-week period, with intense competition from the start. The six matches will be played in a round-robin format, ensuring every team gets a chance to face each other.

• Match 1: September 5-8: India A vs India B at Rural Development Trust Stadium
• Match 2: September 5-8: India C vs India D at ACA ADCA Ground
• Match 3: September 12-15: India A vs India D at Rural Development Trust Stadium
• Match 4: September 12-15: India B vs India C at ACA ADCA Ground
• Match 5: September 19-22: India B vs India D at ACA ADCA Ground
• Match 6: September 19-22: India A vs India C at Rural Development Trust Stadium

The Duleep Trophy is more than just a cricket tournament; it’s a platform for players to showcase their skills and prove their worth at the highest domestic level. With a competitive format, star-studded teams, and the added thrill of red-ball cricket, this year’s edition promises to be a spectacle for cricket fans across the country.