India’s domestic cricket season is set to kick off with the Duleep Trophy, which will adopt a unique knockout format this year. The entire tournament, featuring six teams from different zones, will take place in Bengaluru from June 28, marking the earliest start to the domestic season in Indian cricket Team history.
A unique format
According to the schedule, the Duleep Trophy will commence with two quarter-final matches. The first quarter-final will see Central Zone taking on East Zone at Alur, while the second quarter-final will witness a clash between North Zone and North East Zone at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The matches promise to be thrilling encounters as teams battle it out for a spot in the semi-finals.
The semi-finals are scheduled to begin on July 5, with the defending champions, West Zone, facing the winner of the first quarter-final at Alur. In the other semi-final, South Zone will lock horns with the winner of the second quarter-final at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The teams will be eager to showcase their skills and claim a spot in the highly anticipated final.
Final scheduleÂ
The final match of the Duleep Trophy will be held from July 12 to 16 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, where the two best teams will compete for the prestigious title. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has directed all zonal conveners to conduct their respective selection committee meetings and submit the 15-member squad along with the list of support staff by June 15. The West Zone squad, in particular, will be finalized on the same day.
It remains to be seen whether Team India’s star players will participate in the initial stages of the Duleep Trophy, as the Test series against West Indies is scheduled to commence on July 12. With the international fixtures approaching, it will be intriguing to observe the team compositions and the level of competition in the Duleep Trophy.
As the countdown to the Duleep Trophy begins, all eyes will be on Bengaluru, where the excitement and thrill of knockout cricket will unfold, showcasing the immense talent and competitiveness of Indian domestic cricket.
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