Bengaluru is poised to become the epicenter of Indian domestic cricket later this month with the commencement of the Duleep Trophy 2025, which marks a return to the traditional zonal format for the nation’s red-ball season. Scheduled from August 28 to September 15, six regional teams- North, South, East, West, Central, and North East.
They will compete in a high-stakes knockout tournament at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. This event is notable for bringing together established players alongside promising emerging talents, promising a competition rich in both nostalgia and competitive intensity.
The revised tournament structure is designed to generate early excitement. As the quarter-finals feature North versus East and Central versus North East, while the previous year’s finalists, South and West, automatically advance to the semi-finals. The final, slated for September 11–15, will determine not only the champion of the zonal format but may also highlight prospective candidates for national selection ahead of a demanding Test schedule.
A return to zonal rivalries
The 2025 Duleep Trophy signifies a notable return to the classic six-zone knockout format, evoking a sense of tradition long associated with Indian domestic cricket. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has opted to reinstate the original structure, comprising the North, South, East, West, Central, and North East Zones.
This decision follows several years marked by experimentation with alternative formats. All fixtures are set to take place at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, reinforcing both the historical significance and the competitive nature of the tournament. For participating athletes, the zonal format transcends the realm of sport; it embodies the representation of regional cricketing heritage, fostering a heightened sense of responsibility and rivalry.
From the perspective of spectators, the tournament rekindles regional loyalties and pride, contributing to a vibrant and passionate atmosphere within the stadiums. The reintroduction of the knockout format heightens the stakes, minimizing the margin for error and intensifying the level of competition. As a result, the 2025 edition of the Duleep Trophy is poised to deliver a compelling and fiercely contested chapter in the annals of Indian domestic cricket.
A glance of tournament’s schedule
Tournament starts from August 28, with two quarter-finals; North Zone takes on East Zone on Ground 1, while Central Zone takes on North East Zone on Ground 2, at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. South Zone and West Zone, last year’s finalists, both go directly into the semi-finals, scheduled to be played from September 4–7.
South will play the winner of North v East Zone, while West meet the winner of Central v North East. The final running from September 11–15 promises us five days of high- quality red-ball cricket. The compact, knockout-only schedule brings an extra edge; every match becomes a knockout fixture, and there is no second chance.
The single-venue format also brings a consistency in pitch conditions, so the skill and tactics of the players will take precedence over travel fatigue. Fans should expect lots of long days of attritional cricket, traditional rivalries and emerging stars who might ride the wave into their respective domestic and international campaigns ahead.
Star power on display
The Duleep Trophy this year features some of the biggest names in the sport of cricket in India, making it arguably one of the more anticipated editions in recent years. North Zone will be led by Indian test captain Shubman Gill after a productive tour to England. While Ishaan Kishan brings the dual threat of attacking flair and leadership to East Zone. For East Zone, we are expecting international star Mohammed Shami to put his world class bowling pedigree on full display.
West Zone has bats in the form of Shreyas Iyer, Jaiswal, Gaikwad and Sarfaraz Khan, any of whom can win a game single-handedly. On the other hand, South Zone mixes youth and consistency with Tilak Varma, Devdutt Padikkal and Narayan Jagadeesan. Even Central Zone might have a shot given Jurel captaining the side. Even, Yash Rathod and Harsh Dubey have been proven match winners.
These star individuals mean that the Duleep Trophy is no longer a domestic tournament; it’s a star-studded event where fans get to watch direct competition with the best players in India sometimes lined up against their fellow international teammates.
A big opportunity for young guns
While marquee players typically dominate headlines, the Duleep Trophy has historically served as a critical proving ground for emerging talent, and the 2025 edition appears no different. North Zone’s Anshul Kamboj, a right-arm pacer recognized for his propensity to secure early wickets, represents a potentially pivotal asset for his side. Meanwhile, East Zone’s Abhimanyu Easwaran, though already seasoned, remains in pursuit of a consistent berth in the Indian national team and will be keen to make a significant impression.
West Zone’s Sarfaraz Khan, despite a prolific domestic track record, is still striving to secure Test selection and will likely be highly motivated to accumulate substantial runs. South Zone’s Tilak Varma comes under particular scrutiny, widely regarded as a prospective all-format player for the future.
For Central Zone, leg-spinner Danish Malewar introduces a valuable element of variety to the attack, whereas North East Zone will depend on their audacious batting talents in hopes of challenging more established teams. In a competition where a single outstanding performance can alter a team’s trajectory, these individuals are afforded an invaluable opportunity to elevate their profiles and, potentially, expedite their progression toward national selection.
Annsly Raena 
Soureesh Datta 
Baishali Karmakar