Duleep Trophy returns to inter-zonal format soon

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to bring back the inter-zonal format for the Duleep Trophy within a year. This first-class tournament features six regions: North, South, East, West, Central, and North-East. The traditional format will replace the Challenger Trophy style that was used since 2015. The Duleep Trophy was played as an inter-zonal meet from 1961-62 to 2014-15. A shift to the Challenger format occurred under Rahul Dravid in 2015, but more recent changes have reflected a return to regional competition. After several disruptions due to COVID-19, the tournament returned as a zonal event in 2022 and 2023. The BCCI aims to give more opportunities to state team players by using the traditional format again. The BCCI also announced changes to its national white-ball tournaments. Starting in the 2025-26 season, these tournaments will follow an Elite and Plate system. This new system means the six lowest-ranked teams in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy will play in the Plate Group. The better-performing teams will compete in the Elite Group, with promotion and relegation between the two. Additionally, the BCCI will standardize payments to scorers. They will now receive Rs 15,000 per day for their work during domestic and international matches.