The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering moving the upcoming Duleep Trophy final from the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The final could be played at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru or the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai to allow spectators to attend.
The Duleep Trophy will open the 2026-27 Indian domestic season on Sunday, August 23. The quarterfinals and semifinals are scheduled at the Centre of Excellence, where matches are played behind closed doors. The BCCI is now looking at another venue for the final so fans can watch the title clash live.
BCCI Explores New Venue for Duleep Trophy Final
The Duleep Trophy final is currently scheduled from September 6 to 10 at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. However, the BCCI is considering a move to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium or the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai to allow spectators to attend the title clash.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia addressed the issue during his recent visit to the CoE. Saikia said the board would explore the possibility of hosting the final with spectators. “We will definitely look into the aspect of hosting the match with spectators; we still have time.”
The KSCA had earlier agreed to host the final at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. However, a court ruling after last year's stampede outside the venue requires the association to follow extensive protocols if more than 5,000 spectators attend. The BCCI has also approached the TNCA.
Central and South Zones Advance Directly to Duleep Trophy Semifinals
Central Zone and South Zone have secured direct places in the semifinals after reaching the final of the previous edition. Central Zone, led by Rajat Patidar, defeated South Zone by six wickets in last season's final to claim the title.
The defending champions will now begin their title defence with Patidar continuing as captain and Rinku Singh serving as his deputy. South Zone will look to go one step further under captain Tilak Varma after finishing runners-up in the previous edition.
The quarterfinals will take place from August 23 to 26, followed by the semifinals from August 30 to September 2. East Zone will face North East Zone in one quarterfinal, while North Zone will meet West Zone in the other. Both knockout stages are scheduled at the Centre of Excellence.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan Lead Star-Studded Squads
The 2026-27 Duleep Trophy will feature six teams representing North, South, East, West, Central and North East zones. The tournament will begin on Sunday, August 23.
Several established players will feature across the six squads. Ishan Kishan will captain East Zone, with 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi named vice-captain. Kanhaiya Wadhawan will lead North Zone, while Jonathan Rongsen will captain North East Zone.
Ruturaj Gaikwad will lead West Zone, including Shams Mulani, Prithvi Shaw, Sarfaraz Khan, Musheer Khan, Urvil Patel, Tanush Kotian and Shardul Thakur. South Zone, meanwhile, includes Ricky Bhui, N Jagadeesan, Karun Nair and R Smaran alongside captain Tilak Varma.
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