BCCI introduces colossal changes in domestic cricket structure, Duleep Trophy returns to zonal format

The Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) has roped in some major changes in domestic cricket. There are some changes in the structure of the prestigious Duleep Trophy as the tournament returns to its original format in which it was earlier played.

The changes have been made to ensure that the players from each corner of the country get equal chances of making it to the senior team. Apart from these changes, there are some adjustments in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy as well.

There is also some good news for the scorers of the BCCI who work hard during match days on a continuous basis. The board's new decision has brought some motivation for them ahead of the upcoming domestic season.

Also read: ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 venues revealed, tournament to begin in September in India

Duleep Trophy back in its original format

Some @BCCIdomestic news
1. Duleep Trophy will once again go back to Zonal format. So national selectors won't pick those teams. Usual state selection committee chairs.
2. Bottom six teams of all six groups of SMAT/VHT will play in Plate Group.
3. All BCCI scorers to be paid…

— Kushan Sarkar (@kushansarkar) March 22, 2025

According to PTI, the BCCI has decided to ring in some major changes for the upcoming domestic matches. The Duleep Trophy will now go back to its original format, which was the Zonal format.

The tournament was played in a different format last season with four teams - India A, India B, India C, and India D - playing against each other to win the coveted title. The four teams were picked by the national selectors and it comprised of the best 60 players from the country.

However, the tournament will now be played in its original format and five teams from different zones will participate in it. The five participating teams will be the North Zone, South Zone, East Zone, West Zone, and Central Zone.

The teams will be selected by the state selection committee chairmen instead of the national selectors, who picked the four teams last year. It is a big decision from the board as the board aims to provide equal opportunity to the players from each part of the country.

Plate Groups in SMAT and VHT

Apart from the change in the Duleep Trophy structure, there are some changes in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy as well. The bottom team from all six groups will play in the Plate Group for the next season of the tournament.

The structure is similar to the one in the Ranji Trophy where some teams in the Plate Group play against each other and the top two teams of that group qualify to play in the Elite group next season. The bottom two teams are relegated from the Elite group to Plate Group.

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy will have the same structure from now onwards. The decision has been taken after seeing the huge difference between the top and lower teams in the last few seasons.

The big difference between some of the teams has resulted in the matches going one-sided and some of the teams creating various records. Hence, the BCCI has decided to reduce the difference between various sides.

BCCI scorers to receive uniform match fees

In encouraging news for the BCCI scorers, they will receive a uniform match fee of 15,000 from the state units for all the international matches hosted by them. The news has brought a sigh of relief for the hardworking scorers who work day in and day out during matches.

The scorers have been deprived of pay on many occasions and they have also requested the board a no. of times by highlighting their problems. The BCCI has finally listened to them which comes as an encouraging sign.