Ruturaj Gaikwad's exciting return to form in recent matches has shown just how good he can be when he's firing on all cylinders. He had to cut short his IPL season due to ijnury and then and missed India A selection. Gaikwad scored a century in the Buchi Babu tournament in late August. He then followed it up on Thursday with another century in the Duleep Trophy semi-final for West Zone. Read more on TOI
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The Duleep Trophy, one of India's premier domestic cricket tournaments, has a long and storied history dating back to the 1961-62 season. Over the years, the tournament has been a breeding ground for some of India's finest cricketers, providing them with a platform to showcase their talent and stake a claim for a spot in the national team. As we look ahead to the year 2025, the Duleep Trophy is set to undergo a major transformation, with the introduction of a revamped format that promises to make the tournament even more competitive and exciting. The tournament will now feature six teams instead of the traditional four, with each team representing a different region of India. The teams will be divided into two groups of three, with each team playing the other teams in their group once in the group stage. The top two teams from each group will then progress to the knockout stage, where they will compete in semi-finals and a final to determine the overall champion. One of the key changes in the new format is the inclusion of more young and emerging players, with each team required to have at least three players under the age of 23 in their squad. This is aimed at providing a platform for the next generation of Indian cricketers to showcase their talent and gain valuable experience playing against some of the best domestic players in the country. In addition to the traditional red-ball format, the 2025 Duleep Trophy will also feature a limited-overs competition, with each team playing a series of T20 matches alongside the longer format games. This is in line with the changing dynamics of the game, with T20 cricket becoming increasingly popular and important in the development of young players. The revamped Duleep Trophy promises to be a thrilling and competitive tournament, with the best domestic players in India vying for supremacy and a chance to impress the national selectors. With the inclusion of more young talent and the introduction of a limited-overs competition, the tournament is set to be a breeding ground for future stars of Indian cricket. As fans eagerly await the start of the 2025 Duleep Trophy, there is a sense of excitement and anticipation in the air. With the new format and the inclusion of more young players, the tournament promises to be a showcase of the best of Indian domestic cricket and a platform for the next generation of cricketers to make their mark on the national stage.