Cricket

The Duleep Trophy, a prestigious domestic cricket tournament in India, is set to revert to its traditional zonal format starting next year. This decision was made at the 93rd Annual General Meeting of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).The Duleep Trophy was originally played on a zonal basis, with teams representing different regions of India. However, in 2023, the BCCI experimented with a new format, where four teams were selected by four teams. This experiment was met with mixed reactions, with some members of the BCCI expressing concerns that it was diluting the competitive nature of the tournament.After a prolonged discussion at the AGM, the BCCI decided to move away from the experimental format and reinstate the zonal format. This decision was based on the recommendations of a working group consisting of then head coach Rahul Dravid, chief selector Ajit Agarkar, NCA head VVS Laxman, and Abey Kuruvilla, general manager of operations.The working group had argued that the zonal format would maintain the competitive nature of the tournament and provide a better platform for players to showcase their skills. They also pointed out that the zonal format had a long history and tradition in Indian cricket.The BCCI also authorized its office-bearers to finalize the BCCI's representative for the International Cricket Council's (ICC) meetings as an ICC Director. With BCCI President Jay Shah set to take over as the ICC chair on December 1, a new ICC representative will need to be selected.The AGM also passed a resolution to maintain the BCCI's legal status as a society. The members further resolved that the tournaments of the BCCI, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), shall not be converted to a company.

Despite India's resounding victory in the first Test against Bangladesh, concerns have been raised over the underwhelming performances of skipper Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli. While the team secured a 280-run triumph, the two senior players failed to make a significant impact.Former India opener Sanjay Manjrekar has questioned whether Rohit and Kohli are receiving preferential treatment based on their reputation. He believes that their absence from the Duleep Trophy, a domestic first-class tournament, has hindered their preparation for the Test series."There was the option of picking them in the Duleep Trophy. So one has to be careful about treating certain players differently and do what's best for Indian cricket and for the player," Manjrekar said. "Virat and Rohit not playing (Duleep Trophy) was not good for Indian cricket, nor was it good for the two players."Manjrekar expressed confidence in Kohli and Rohit's abilities to regain their form, but he emphasized the need to address the issue of preferential treatment within the Indian cricket team."But they have the class and experience to make a comeback later in the series, and I don't see them, for that reason, not being in form," he said. "But something that one must make a quiet note of, and that has been a problem with Indian cricket for a long time now, is that certain players get picked out for special treatment because of their status, which eventually hurts that player more than anyone else."The Indian team's success in the first Test was largely due to the standout performances of Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, and Ravindra Jadeja. However, the struggles of Rohit and Kohli have raised questions about the team's batting depth and the need for a more consistent performance from its senior players.

Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan, two talented wicketkeeper-batters, have showcased their skills in the recent Duleep Trophy, each scoring a century. Samson's performance was particularly impressive, amassing 196 runs in four innings for India D, while Kishan managed 123 runs representing India C.Samson's performance in the Duleep Trophy has raised questions about whether he can regain his place in India's T20I squad against Bangladesh. Despite his impressive showing, Samson's previous two T20I appearances against Sri Lanka in July, where he recorded back-to-back ducks, may still linger in the selectors' minds.Kishan, on the other hand, has recently garnered attention for adhering to the selectors' directive to engage in domestic cricket. This move has sparked rumors about his potential return to the Indian squad for the forthcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh.Prior to his exclusion from the team nearly a year ago, due to factors not entirely linked to his on-field performance, Kishan had almost secured his position in India's white-ball setup. His consistent performance had even led to his inclusion in the 50-over World Cup squad.However, Kishan's chances of a recall to the Indian team may have to wait, despite his renewed focus on domestic cricket. The selectors have included Kishan in the Irani Cup squad, while Samson, who has played 30 T20Is, is not part of the five-day fixture that concludes just a day before the first T20I against Bangladesh on October 6.Although selectors can always pull a player from domestic matches for international duty, it seems that Samson might remain the preferred choice for now. He may be called upon to open the innings, a role he undertook during the series against Sri Lanka, albeit without success.The selectors are unlikely to pick Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal for the T20Is, keeping their more important Test duties in mind. The two had opened in the T20Is in Lanka but are expected to be kept out, along with other Test players such as Mohammed Siraj, Axar Patel, and Rishabh Pant, who were part of the T20I squad in Sri Lanka.This decision may provide an opportunity for Sai Sudarshan, who featured in a T20I in Zimbabwe in July. The Tamil Nadu and Gujarat Titans batter is part of the Irani squad.India will host Bangladesh for T20Is starting on Sunday, October 6 in Gwalior. The remaining two matches will be played on October 9 (New Delhi) and October 12 (Hyderabad).

Prasidh Krishna's fiery spell propelled India-A to victory in the Duleep Trophy final, ending the spirited resistance of India-C. The seamer's impressive performance, in only his second game after a lengthy injury layoff, earned him praise from India-A coach Sunil Joshi."I am very glad that he has come back into form and is back in the reckoning," Joshi said. "He was bowling at good speed too, clocking 140's consistently."Joshi also expressed his satisfaction with the sporting track provided for the final. "This was one of the best wickets I have come across in India," he said. "It was nice that there was something for the bowlers and the batters."The crowd's presence was another positive aspect of the match. "It is important to take the game to smaller cities and towns like this," Joshi said. "Some of the kids might be inspired to take up cricket after watching all these Test and IPL players."Joshi lauded Shashwat Rawat, one of the tournament's standout performers. The left-hander not only topped the batting average (85.33) but also displayed solid defense and elegant strokeplay. "I had seen his numbers in the Ranji Trophy as I follow domestic players closely," said Joshi. "He is a compact and elegant player. And I think the selectors led by Ajit Agarkar have done a good job in picking the teams for the Duleep Trophy."Regarding the final, Joshi believed his team played the perfect red-ball cricket. "Captain Mayank Agarwal did a good job," he said. "Our spinners Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian bowled well, and I thought it was a splendid innings by India-C's Sai Sudharsan."

India A emerged victorious in the Duleep Trophy, defeating India C by 132 runs in a thrilling encounter at Anantapur. The triumph was orchestrated by the exceptional bowling performances of Tanush Kotian and Prasidh Krishna, who combined to claim six wickets.India A, starting the final round with a three-point deficit, displayed unwavering determination throughout the four-day contest. Their dominance was evident from the outset, as they set a challenging target of 350 for India C.The chase proved to be a daunting task for India C, who were bowled out for 217 in 81.5 overs. Krishna's impressive figures of 3/50 from 13.5 overs included the final wicket of the match. Kotian, on the other hand, played a pivotal role in triggering a collapse in the opposition ranks.At tea, India C were in a relatively comfortable position at 169 for three, with Sai Sudharsan in fine form. However, Kotian's crucial strikes, including the dismissals of Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Porel, and Pulkit Narang, turned the tide in India A's favor.Earlier in the chase, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Vijaykumar Vyshak had provided some resistance, but their efforts were not enough to prevent India A from gaining the upper hand. Sudharsan's valiant innings of 111 off 206 balls, which included 12 fours, proved to be a lone bright spot for India C.The resistance crumbled when Sudharsan was dismissed by Krishna in the 78th over. Aaquib Khan and Shams Mulani also contributed to India A's victory, dismissing Rajat Patidar and Manav Suthar respectively.In the final stages of the match, Krishna added to his tally by dismissing Anshul Kamboj and Baba Indrajith for ducks, sealing a significant victory for his team.Earlier in the day, India A declared their innings at 286 for six, batting for just a few overs. Riyan Parag (73) and Shashwat Rawat (53) scored fifties, while wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra contributed a vital 42, helping their side extend the overall lead to 349.

India D emerged victorious in the final round of the Duleep Trophy 2024-25, securing a 257-run triumph over India B in Anantapur. The victory was largely attributed to Arshdeep Singh's career-best first-class performance, where he claimed 6 for 40 in India B's second innings.Chasing a daunting target of 373, India B's batting lineup crumbled under the pressure of Arshdeep's relentless pace and Aditya Thakare's accurate swing bowling. The duo shared all ten wickets, with Arshdeep dismissing the dangerous Suryakumar Yadav for a mere 16.Nitish Kumar Reddy provided some resistance for India B, remaining unbeaten on 40, but his efforts were in vain as Arshdeep fittingly wrapped up the innings with the final wicket before tea on the fourth day.Ricky Bhui, who was named Player of the Match, played a pivotal role in India D's victory. His unbeaten 119 in the second innings, coupled with his 56 in the first, helped extend India D's lead after they had stumbled to 18 for 3.Bhui's century, his 20th in first-class cricket, was a testament to his resilience and determination. India D's victory was a fitting end to a tournament that showcased the depth of talent in Indian domestic cricket.

India D has taken a commanding lead over India B in the final Duleep Trophy fixture in Anantapur. Resuming on 210 for 6, India C added 72 runs to their overnight score, thanks largely to Washington Sundar's 87. Saurabh Kumar claimed the remaining four wickets to finish with a five-wicket haul.India D's second innings got off to a shaky start as Navdeep Saini and Mukesh Kumar reduced them to 18 for 3. However, Shreyas Iyer counterattacked with a quickfire 50, hitting seven fours and a six. Sanju Samson, who scored a century in the first innings, contributed 45, while Ricky Bhui remained unbeaten on 90.At stumps, India D were 244 for 5, with Bhui and Akash Sengupta at the crease. They lead India B by 311 runs with five wickets in hand.India B, currently second on the table, face an uphill task to win the title. They need to win outright and hope that neither India C nor India A win outright.

India A has extended its lead over India C in the final round of the Duleep Trophy fixtures in Anantapur. Resuming the third day with a 63-run advantage, India A's Riyan Parag and Shashwat Rawat played crucial knocks to bolster their position.Parag, who had not scored a half-century in the competition prior to this match, struck a fluent 73. Rawat, the 23-year-old Baroda batter, continued his impressive form with a second big score in the match, following his 124 in the first innings. His 53 helped India A extend their lead to 333 at stumps with four wickets remaining.The pair added 105 for the fourth wicket, with the partnership broken when left-arm spinner Manav Suthar dismissed Rawat. Kumar Kushagra, the Jharkhand wicketkeeper, remained unbeaten on 40 at the close of play, with Tanush Kotian providing support.India C's hopes of chasing down India A's first-innings total of 297 were dashed by Avesh Khan, who claimed two of the three wickets to fall. India C managed to add just 18 runs to their overnight total, with left-arm spinner Shams Mulani picking up the other wicket.India A, currently placed third in the four-team competition, need an outright victory to have a chance of winning the Duleep Trophy.

On the second day of the Duleep Trophy final round robin league match, India D established a commanding position over India B, thanks to Sanju Samson's century and Arshdeep Singh's impressive bowling performance.India D resumed their first innings at 306 for 5, with Samson continuing his impressive form. The talented batsman reached his 11th first-class hundred, scoring 106 off 101 deliveries, including 12 boundaries and three sixes. However, India D's innings ended shortly after Samson's milestone, with the last five wickets falling for 43 runs. Delhi speedster Navdeep Saini was the wrecker-in-chief, claiming 5 for 74 in 18.3 overs.In response, India B began their innings cautiously, with skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran leading the charge. Easwaran, who had scored a century in the previous game, notched up his 25th first-class hundred, a 170-ball knock adorned with 13 fours and a six. However, India B's progress was halted by Arshdeep Singh, who returned for his second spell with a slightly older SG Test ball.Arshdeep struck twice in quick succession, dismissing Musheer Khan and Nitish Reddy cheaply. He then accounted for the prized wicket of Suryakumar Yadav, who had been eagerly anticipated by the crowd. With India B reeling at 100 for 5, Easwaran and Washington Sundar (39 batting) steadied the ship, adding 105 runs for the sixth wicket.However, Easwaran's dismissal towards the end of the day, caught behind off Aditya Thakare, left India B in a precarious position at 210 for 6. The match remains evenly poised heading into the third day, with India B needing to bat cautiously to avoid a heavy defeat.