BCCI drops Duleep, modifies Deodhar

New Delhi, july 20

Due to a packed domestic and international schedule, the more than half-a-century-old Duleep Trophy has been given a break for the first time since its inception by the BCCI for the upcoming season.

The BCCI's 2015-16 domestic calendar, released today, has discarded for the first time the inter-zonal competition after it was started in 1961-62. It's not clear whether the tournament, which since its inception served as a virtual selection trial to pick the Indian teams for home and away Test rubbers in the days gone by, will be resurrected in the next 2016-17 season.

The BCCI release is totally silent about the axing of such a prestigious tournament in the upcoming season.

The board has also decided to implement the suggestions given by the Anil Kumble-led technical committee where in the Deodhar Trophy will feature four 50-overs matches across five days between January 24-28. It will be on the lines of NKP Salve the Challenger Trophy where there will be three teams. The Vijay Hazare Trophy champions will compete with two other teams that will be picked by the selectors from the performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. 

The teams for the Vijay Hazare Trophy will be divided into groups, as in the Ranji Trophy. — PTI