Duleep Trophy dropped from 2017-18 Indian domestic season

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently released the schedule for the 2017-18 domestic cricket season. The board took various factors and suggestions into consideration before coming up with a revamped structure and schedule. Interestingly, the Duleep Trophy has been dropped from the season this year. The Duleep Trophy has been one of the premier domestic tournament that sees three teams participating – India Red, India Blue, and India Green.

Last year, it was the the Duleep Trophy that had seen the pink balls being used under the lights. A BCCI official noted that the tournament is best suited to be played either at the starting of the season or the end due to the fact that it is played under lights. This year, the season starts off with the Ranji Trophy, and hence the Duleep Trophy finds no place for it.

As per the quotes in ESPNcricinfo, a BCCI official explained the move. He cited that there is a packed international season coming up later this year and hence the move had to come in to avoid congestion. Also, the tournament would have had no relevance as the international season is a limited overs series one.

“If you remember, ahead of the World T20 year [in 2016], we didn’t have the Duleep Trophy because there was no relevance in holding it when we were looking at selecting a T20 side. Last year, we had a 13-Test season, so starting the Duleep Trophy before the Tests had greater relevance and we had time to do it. The Duleep Trophy takes 24 days [to finish], and with such a long season and with all venues being occupied – obviously we can’t do it in June or July – we had only September,” a board official reasoned out.

Duleep will be back next year

The board official further revealed that the next year will have the tournament back in place. Since team India is scheduled to play Tests next year, the significance of the tournament will be back in the picture and it will form the basis of selection in the national side.

“And, this year we are starting the international season on September 17 which means the team would assemble on September 10 or 11. That’s the reason we decided to defer it to the beginning of next season, which is again a Test season with India playing West Indies and touring Australia and New Zealand. The Duleep will then form the basis for selection in the longer formats,” the official quoted further.