Duleep Trophy Goes Back to Inter-Zonal Format Within a Year of Change

The BCCI Apex Council on Saturday decided to re-introduce the traditional inter-zonal format for the Duleep Trophy -- the first-class tournament for six regions.

- Press Trust of India

KOLKATA:

Last year, the Ajit Agarkar-led national selection committee had picked squads on the basis of players' performance in the Ranji Trophy, where 38 domestic teams competed. However, North, South, East, West, Central, and North-East Zones will now compete for the Duleep Trophy title instead of A, B, C, and D teams competing in the Challenger Trophy format. From 1961-62 till 2014-15, the Duleep Trophy was played as an inter-zonal first-class meet. It was when Rahul Dravid took over as head of NCA in 2015, he suggested conducting the Duleep Trophy in the Challenger Trophy format, where national selectors would pick India Blue, Red, and Green teams, and the concept was followed till the 2019 season.