The 2024-25 senior men’s domestic cricket season is set to commence with the highly anticipated Duleep Trophy, which will be held from September 5 to September 22. This season, the tournament will undergo a significant transformation, introducing a brand-new structure that promises to inject fresh excitement into the competition.
In a departure from the traditional zonal format, the Duleep Trophy will now feature four teams—India A, India B, India C, and India D—competing in a round-robin format. Unlike previous years, there will be no knockout stages, making every match crucial in the race to the top.
The teams will be selected by the national selection committee, chaired by Ajit Agarkar, ensuring that the best talents from across the country are on display. With the possibility of several Indian international players participating, the tournament is expected to be fiercely contested.
Last year, South Zone claimed the Duleep Trophy by defeating West Zone in the final. However, with the new format, this year’s competition promises to be even more unpredictable and thrilling.
The matches are scheduled to be held at two venues in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh—the Rural Development Trust Stadium and the ACA ADCA Ground. However, due to the potential involvement of superstars like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the opening round may be shifted to the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Fans can look forward to seeing top international players like Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and Yashasvi Jaiswal taking part in the tournament, adding a touch of glamour and high stakes to the event.
With a revamped format, star players, and an air of unpredictability, the Duleep Trophy 2024 is set to usher in a new era of domestic cricket in India.