Team India Test players to participate in Duleep Trophy 2024-25 after BCCI's directive - Report

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made it clear that Indian cricketers should participate in the upcoming Duleep Trophy, which is scheduled for next month. The Board of Control for Cricket in India wants players to prioritize domestic cricket during their break from international matches.

The Indian team suffered a 0-2 loss to Sri Lanka in the recently concluded three-match ODI series in challenging batting conditions. The Indian batters struggled to score against Sri Lankan bowlers in spin-friendly conditions. Notably, it was the Men in Blue's first bilateral ODI series loss to Sri Lanka since 1997.

The Rohit Sharma-led team will not play international cricket for almost 40 days. They will next face the Bangladesh team in a two-match Test series. The first Test match between India and Bangladesh will be played in Chennai from September 19 to 23. The final game will be played in Kanpur, starting on September 27.

Indian Test Players to Participate in the Duleep Trophy 2024-25 - Report

According to The Indian Express report, several Indian players are expected to participate in the Duleep Trophy 2024-25. The Board of Control for Cricket in India will ask players to participate in the Duleep Trophy. The domestic red-ball tournament, featuring four teams, will be played from September 5 to 24.

Team India Has a Tightly Packed International Schedule from September

The BCCI reintroduced the zonal format for the Duleep Trophy, involving six teams selected by a zonal committee in the 2022-23 season. However, this season, the board has simplified it to just four teams, with squads chosen by the national selectors. Indian Test probables are expected to feature in the event.

India will host Bangladesh and New Zealand for Test series at home. The team will then head to Australia for a five-match Test series from November to January. All these Tests are part of the 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle. The BCCI is also expected to send India A teams ahead of the main tours.

Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer Omitted From Central Contracts Earlier This Year

Earlier this year, players like Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer were excluded from the central contract list. The board made this decision after Iyer and Kishan chose not to play in domestic cricket despite the BCCI's directive. Iyer made his comeback for India during the recently concluded ODI series against Sri Lanka.

Ishan Kishan last represented India in the T20I series against Australia in November. He withdrew from the South Africa Tests due to personal reasons. He was omitted from the Test series against England. The left-handed batter is expected to play for Jharkhand in the Buchi Babu Invitational tournament starting August 15.

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