How India's Duleep Trophy has navigated decades of shifting formats
In short: Since its 1961–62 debut, India's premier domestic first-class cricket competition has been a laboratory for tournament structures. From zonal battles to experimental team groupings and day-night matches with pink balls, the Duleep Trophy has constantly reinvented itself to shape the future of the sport.
Created by the BCCI during the 1961–62 season, the Duleep Trophy began as a zonal contest. The inaugural tournament saw West Zone secure the title by defeating South Zone by ten wickets. For much of its history, the tournament has relied on these geographical zones—North, South, East, West, and Central—composed of players from regional Ranji Trophy teams.
However, the tournament's structure has been famously fluid. While the zonal format is the traditional standard, the BCCI has frequently experimented with different models. In the 2002–03 season, teams were organized by Ranji Trophy groups rather than zones. Between 2016–17 and 2019–20, the competition moved to a three-team format featuring India Blue, Red, and Green, utilizing day-night matches and pink cricket balls.
The tournament has also faced significant interruptions and structural expansions. Following a three-season hiatus due to COVID-19, the competition returned in 2022–23 with the addition of a North East Zone to the original five. By the 2026–27 edition, the tournament returned to a six-team, single-elimination format. In a notable 2026–27 final at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, East Zone claimed their third title—and their first since 2011–12—after a draw where they secured victory via a first-innings lead.
The competition remains a vital platform for both experienced and emerging talent. While West Zone stands as the most successful team with 19 trophies, the tournament continues to evolve, recently featuring experimental four-team formats like the 2024–25 edition composed of India A, B, C, and D.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Duleep Trophy
- Also: Wikidata — Duleep Trophy · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — 2018–19 Duleep Trophy · CC0
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