Duleep Trophy Likely To Return To Zonal Format After State Units Reject Four-Team Structure
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Mayank Agarwal with the Duleep Trophy 2024 (Source: @ArrestDh0bi/x.com)
In the latest development, the prestigious Duleep Trophy will likely return to its traditional zonal format from the next season after state units voiced dissatisfaction with the four-team structure introduced this year. The 2024 edition, which featured teams India A, India B, India C, and India D, was highly criticised by state associations, and they further asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to reconsider the format at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Bengaluru.
Under the leadership of Mayank Agarwal, India A emerged as champions of the tournament this season with two wins from three matches. However, the competition was widely seen as a failure as it could not serve its primary purpose of providing equal opportunities to players across India’s cricketing zones.
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The Duleep Trophy 2024 Format Criticized For Lack Of Zonal Representation
For this edition, the BCCI experimented with a four-team structure, departing from the usual zonal format, where teams from six zones (Central, East, West, North, South, and North-East) compete.
The national selection committee selected teams that included several international stars. While the revamped format attracted attention, especially with big names like Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, and Kuldeep Yadav participating, the feedback from state units was largely negative.
"The state units felt the format used this season did not give a fair representation to the players from their respective zones. The traditional zonal format gives players more opportunities zone wise and that is what was conveyed in the AGM today," a state unit official told PTI after the BCCI AGM in Bengaluru.
At the AGM, representatives from state associations expressed concerns that the four-team format did not allow fair representation of players from all zones. As a result, it was unanimously agreed that the tournament should revert to its traditional inter-zonal format starting next season.
The zonal format, abandoned for this edition, has historically been considered the best way to provide opportunities for players from different regions.
With the return of the zonal format, the BCCI aims to ensure that more players get a chance to showcase their skills. This, in turn, would significantly aid in the selection process for the national team.
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