Duleep Trophy: Shreyas Iyer gets grand reception from fans in Anantapur

Star Indian batter Shreyas Iyer received a grand welcome from fans upon his arrival in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, a co-host city for the highly-anticipated Duleep Trophy 2024-25. The event, set to begin on September 5, marks the start of India's domestic season.

As Iyer stepped out of his car at the valet lobby of the Alexander Luxury Hotel, he was greeted by a sea of passionate supporters. Iyer acknowledged the crowd had a big smile on his face and waved back at them. 

The 2024-25 edition of the Duleep Trophy will see a fresh format being used, moving away from the traditional zonal structure to a four-team setup.

This change, implemented by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), aims to increase competition and provide a platform for players to show their skills. Four teams (A, B, C, and D) will take on each other in a round-robin format, with the team accumulating the most points emerging as the winner.

Iyer has been given the responsibility of leading Team D, which also includes notable names such as Ishan Kishan, Devdutt Padikkal, Axar Patel, and Arshdeep Singh. The tournament has an impressive line-up across all teams, with stars like Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, and Kuldeep Yadav representing other teams.

Also read: Rishabh Pant slogs ahead of Duleep Trophy 2024

Pavilions, dressing rooms, and commentators' boxes refurbished in Anantapur

The upcoming competition is a crucial preparatory ground for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh in September. The BCCI has mandated the participation of domestic players as it will help in the selection process for the national squad.

Anantapur has been buzzing with activity in preparation for the event. Despite recent heavy rainfall in other parts of Andhra Pradesh, the city has been spared from flooding, ensuring the matches will proceed as scheduled.

Also read: Duleep Trophy 2024: Schedule, Squads, Live Streaming, Broadcasters & All you need to know

The local authorities have gone to great lengths to ensure a smooth experience for players and spectators alike. Pavilions, dressing rooms, and commentators' boxes have been refurbished, while top hotels in the city are accommodating players and officials.