Quote:
Originally Posted by G.I.Joe
Yeah, I think the Duleep's going to be a knockout tournament. That's not a bright idea IMO. No more overseas teams in the Duleep too. That I can live with.
Ideal scenario would be to convert the Duleep Trophy into the country's premier first class competition with an all-play-all home and away league format. Ranji could be a Champions Trophy type thing to be played among the top 8 elite teams in the country, with promotion and relegation from the Plate division.
The List A competitions could follow a similar format to the Duleep and Ranji, but with just one meeting between teams instead of home and away games.
These could be played over the traditional season, with the IPL as the sole T20 competition in April.
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We've suggested that for a long time. Keep the Duleep Trophy at a time when there's no international action for a long time, so that all the top Indian players - Test, ODI and T20- are available. Likewise the Deodhar Trophy.
The Elite/Plate system in place can stay, though the idea of having foreign recruits should also be explored, consisting mostly of IPL picks from the franchises in whose catchments these teams are placed. They can restrict the foreign players exclusively to the Elite league, with eight options at hand and only two playing a match. That will be convenient for both the teams and the internationals. The Plate team will only have local players, and there can be some unpredictability, such as having three Plate teams promoted as they have won more matches than some Elite teams. That will then cut out the possibility of Elite teams playing for draws and first-innings lead points, and encouraging the highly competitive Plate teams. Performance in the Ranji Trophy should be evaluated in selecting the Duleep teams, and consequently the national team.
The List-A Hazare Trophy should follow the Ranji model of Elite and Plate, with the same modifications, or else have the knockouts decided on an all-India points table, not just the zonal toppers. We've had enough of also-rans from East and Central making the knockouts. Performance in ROD should be a factor in selection of Deodhar teams and finally the national team.
They should isolate the IPL and schedule it at a harmless, stress-free and clash-free date.