Bengaluru to host inter-zonal Duleep Trophy 2025: Details here
What's the story
The 2025 Duleep Trophy is set to be hosted by Bengaluru between August 28 and September 15. The premier First-Class tournament, now back to its inter-zonal format, will be held at the Centre of Excellence grounds and follow a knockout format. Six zones - South, Central, West, East, North, and North-East - will compete in this competition after a one-season hiatus from the inter-zonal structure.
Tournament progression
South, West Zone teams seeded into semifinals
The South and West Zone teams have been directly seeded into the semi-finals of the Duleep Trophy. The two quarter-finals will see North Zone face East Zone, and Central Zone take on North-East Zone. These matches are scheduled to be played between August 28 and 31, with the semi-finals taking place from September 4. The final of this year's tournament will begin on September 11.
Format evolution
Changes in Duleep Trophy's format
The Duleep Trophy has seen a lot of changes in its format over the years. From 2016/17 to 2019/20, teams were randomly selected by national selectors and named India A, B, C, and D. The tournament shifted back to the zonal model in 2022/23 but reverted to the aforementioned format last year. This season, the red-ball tournament has returned to the zonal framework once again.
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Who won 2024/25 Duleep Trophy?
India A, led by Mayank Agarwal, won the 2024/25 Duleep Trophy after beating India C in the final. India A won by 132 runs after successfully defending 349. India C were bowled out for 217 on Day 4.
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Nagpur to host Irani Cup
On the other hand, Nagpur will host the Irani Cup, the annual one-off First-Class fixture between the defending Ranji Trophy champions and Rest of India (ROI). Vidarbha, who won the 2024/25 Ranji Trophy, will feature in the five-day match.