New Delhi: The Duleep Trophy 2024 is just one round away to decide the winner of the prestigious red-ball tournament. Despite the rejig in all four squads with many international-bound players having left for Chennai, the suspense on who will lift the cup this time will go down to the wire.
India A, India B and India C remain in the race for the title contention. India B and India C finished as the two unbeaten teams in the four-team tournament after they played for a draw in Anantpur in the second round.
Unlike the zonal formats in the previous editions, this year there won’t be the knockout stage in the Duleep Trophy 2024. In other words there won’t be any semifinal or final held to determine the tournament winner. The format of this edition involves participation four teams with each team playing every opponent once, which means a team won’t play more than three matches.
The team with most points after the three rounds will take the title home. This is a similar format observed in major European football leagues held throughout the year. To name a few popular ones – Premier League and La Liga – where the winner is determined with most points after playing 38 matches in the 20-team league.
How does the Duleep Trophy point system work?
There are various means to earn points in the new-structured Duleep Trophy. A team who wins by an innings (in third innings) or by 10 wickets (in fourth innings) will pick up seven points. A simple win or an outright win will guarantee six points into the team’s account.
If a team takes a lead in the first innings but can’t manage to win then it takes three points. The team who settles for a draw without a first-innings lead will get only one point.
Which team is close to win the Duleep Trophy? All permutations before the final round
India C is currently on the top of the points table with nine points from two matches. The Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side defeated India D by four wickets in the first round in Anantpur. India D and India C were involved in a drawn affair in their second match. However, India D picked three points thanks to the substantial 193-run lead powered by Ishan Kishan’s scintillating ton.
As a result, India B, who also won its first game against India A, received just one points because of the first-innings trail. India B has seven points from two matches.
Meanwhile, India A comprehensively beat India D by 186 runs in the second match to fetch six points and remain in contention for the title in Round 3. India A will play against table leaders India C in the final round whilst India B take on India D, who is out of the trophy race with back-to-back defeats and zero points.
Permutations
India C needs an outright win against India A in the third round to lift the Duleep Trophy title in the domestic curtain raiser.
India C must take a first-innings lead against India A to ensure three points even if they cannot impose an outright win in the match. In this case, India C will hope that India B don’t get an outright win (India B must settle for a draw if India C has to win the tournament in this scenario).
India B must win against India D in any cause and hope India C don’t earn six points against India A. Even if India A pick up seven points against India D and India C pocket six points then India C will lead the table at the end by a difference of a solitary point.
India A must defeat India C by an innings or 10 wickets to boost up their chances and hope India B lose to India D or pick less than six points.
The Duleep Trophy 2024 is just one round away to decide the winner of the prestigious red-ball tournament. Despite the rejig in all four squads with many international-bound players having left for Chennai, the suspense on who will lift the cup this time will go down to the wire. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
