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Duleep Trophy Returns To Inter Zonal Format For 2025-26 Season In Bengaluru

Jatin

Traditional zonal format returns to Duleep Trophy [Source:@RCBTweets/x.com]Traditional zonal format returns to Duleep Trophy [Source:@RCBTweets/x.com]

There is a wave of change sweeping through India’s domestic cricket scene and it’s about time. The Duleep Trophy, one of Indian cricket’s oldest and most respected red-ball tournaments, is all set to return to its original inter-zonal format from the upcoming 2025-26 season.

Duleep Trophy Set For Format Overhaul As Zonal Rivalries Return In 2025

Yes, the old-school North vs South, East vs West vibes are coming back and fans of classic zonal rivalries are in for a treat. The tournament will be held in Bengaluru this September, bringing back the six traditional zones: North, South, East, West, Central, and North-East.

The four-team structure used in Duleep Trophy 2024 didn’t really hit the mark. It featured India A, B, C, and D but left many state associations unhappy, mainly because it blurred the lines between domestic performance and national selection.

The selectors struggled to get a proper look at zonal talent, and fans missed the thrill of watching traditional rivals lock horns.

The return to the zonal format is more than just nostalgia, it’s about giving deserving domestic players a real platform to shine. Plus, with top stars from the Indian setup likely to feature again, the Duleep Trophy 2025-26 might just bring back that old-school red-ball buzz.

Women’s ODI World Cup Set For Five Indian Venues

Meanwhile, there’s big news on the women’s cricket front. The 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, scheduled to start in late September will be played across five Indian cities: Indore, Visakhapatnam, Thiruvananthapuram, Guwahati, and Mullanpur.

These venues are all set to host their share of cricketing fireworks with the tournament running into the first week of November. With eight teams participating, fans can expect a tight schedule packed with high-stakes matches.

Guwahati Gets A Big Upgrade

Notably, Guwahati will host its first-ever Women’s World Cup match but it’s also set to welcome its maiden Test match later this year. South Africa will be touring India, and while the first Test will be played in New Delhi, Guwahati will host the second Test of the series.