The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) will host the first match of India’s domestic cricket season with the Duleep Trophy opening on September 5, 2024. The game will take place at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, shifting from its original location in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh.
This venue change comes at the request of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which aims to showcase top players in preparation for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh starting on September 18. The BCCI’s move underscores its commitment to involving leading players in domestic competitions.
Key Details and Expected Participants:
- Tournament Dates: September 5 – September 24, 2024
- Opening Match Venue: Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
- Notable Players Expected: Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel are likely to feature. Jasprit Bumrah will not participate, as he is on a rest period, and Hardik Pandya has opted out of red-ball cricket.
Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are being given the option to play, though it’s uncertain whether they will appear in the opening match or later rounds. The BCCI’s strategy to include prominent players aims to ensure they are in peak form for international duties.
The Duleep Trophy will adopt a league format this year, featuring four teams: India A, India B, India C, and India D. This change eliminates knockout stages, focusing instead on a round-robin competition that will end on September 22. The new format is designed to enhance the competitiveness of the tournament and offer more playing time to emerging talent.
Additionally, the BCCI is considering a training camp in Chennai before the Test series, which may affect whether top players participate in the Duleep Trophy’s initial rounds.
The selection committee is also looking at including Ishan Kishan in one of the Duleep Trophy squads, offering him a chance to return to first-class cricket and potentially secure a spot on the national team. This opportunity follows his exclusion from the BCCI’s annual contract list last season.
As the tournament approaches, the BCCI and selectors will continue refining player selections and strategies to ensure optimal performance in the upcoming international fixtures.