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.
