The Dr (Capt.) K Thimmappaiah Memorial tournament marks Karnataka's delayed start to domestic season preparations amidst administrative disarray. The Karnataka State Cricket Association announced teams late, impacting player readiness due to injuries from the Maharaja Trophy T20 tournament. Key players are sidelined, and coaching staff uncertainty looms as the Ranji Trophy season approaches.
Robin Uthappa suggests Cheteshwar Pujara's retirement might have been delayed, pointing to his exclusion from the 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad as a potential turning point. Despite this, Uthappa lauded Pujara's unwavering dedication, recalling a Ranji Trophy match where Pujara's commitment to batting was evident. While the timing may be debated, Pujara's significant contribution to Indian Test cricket remains undeniable.
Rinku Singh, known for his T20 heroics, asserts his capabilities extend to red-ball cricket, aiming to represent India in Tests. Preparing for the Asia Cup 2025, he emphasizes evolving his technique with guidance from Abhishek Nair and Gautam Gambhir. Singh aspires to contribute across all formats, driven by self-belief and a desire to win the T20 World Cup.
Riyan Parag, recovering from a shoulder injury sustained last October, returned to competitive cricket in the Duleep Trophy after a stint in the IPL where he experienced stress as stand-in captain. Parag expressed satisfaction with his performance in the Duleep Trophy match, focusing on enjoying the game and testing his fitness.
Central Zone dominated the first day of the Duleep Trophy quarter-final, reaching 432 for 2 against North East Zone. Danish Malewar remained unbeaten on 198, while Rajat Patidar contributed a rapid 125. Their impressive partnership helped Central Zone build a strong foundation, with Malewar nearing a double century.
Indian cricket fans expressed disappointment as the Duleep Trophy, a premier domestic tournament featuring stars like Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav, lacked live streaming. This edition marks a return to the zonal format and serves as a trial for the 'serious injury replacement substitute' rule.
India all-rounder Vijay Shankar is set to turn out for Tripura in the upcoming domestic season after securing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association. The 33-year-old's move comes shortly after former India batter Hanuma Vihari also signed up with the North-Eastern side.
Cheteshwar Pujara, speaking to India Today, said Test selections are now increasingly influenced by both red-ball performances and white-ball exploits, urging youngsters to equip themselves to excel across all three formats. The batting great admitted he missed out on IPL deals after being labelled a Test specialist.
Sarfaraz Khan's unbeaten 109 propelled Mumbai against Haryana in the Buchi Babu Tournament, rescuing them from an early collapse. This century follows his earlier 138 against TNCA XI, solidifying his form ahead of the Test season.
Ashwani Kumar, a young left-arm pacer, made a memorable Mumbai Indians debut, taking 4-24 and earning his team's first win. Mentored by Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah, he focuses on swing and staying calm under pressure. Now back in domestic cricket, Ashwani aims to excel in red-ball cricket and represent India.
The BCCI has announced significant changes to the upcoming domestic cricket season, starting with the Duleep Trophy on August 28th. A plate group is introduced in all domestic one-day tournaments, including the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Major events will now feature four elite groups and one plate group.
Prithvi Shaw marked his Maharashtra debut with a resilient century against Chhattisgarh in the Buchi Babu Tournament 2025, held in Chennai. After a top-order collapse, Shaw's 111-run innings stabilised the team, showcasing a return to form after a challenging period. This performance reignites hopes for a career resurgence as he aims to carry this momentum into the Ranji Trophy season.