Duleep Trophy History

The Ranji Trophy championship may be the national competition but in many ways, the Duleep Trophy is more important. It certainly is the more glamorous with the cream of Indian cricketers from the five zones taking part. It was instituted in 1961-62 as a means to strengthen competition around the domestic circuit when it was noticed that playing standards in the Ranji Trophy, after 25 years, had stagnated.

The championship has come a long way since the inaugural match between South Zone and North Zone at Madras. A premier national competition, it has frequently served as a selection trial for picking the national teams. A good performance in the Duleep Trophy has often been the ticket to a berth in the Indian squad.

In recent years, many leading cricketers have been unable to compete in the Duleep Trophy thanks to the overcrowded international calendar, but the competition has always retained its prestige and importance. The dominant teams have been West Zone, South Zone and North Zone who have won the trophy 14, 11 and 12 times respectively. Central Zone have established their claims on four occasions. On three occasions, the trophy has been shared as the first innings have not been completed. East Zone remains the only team yet to win the trophy.