BCCI Responds to Fan Outcry with Live Broadcast of Duleep Trophy Final
Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has responded to fans’ frustrations regarding the absence of live coverage for the ongoing Duleep Trophy quarterfinals. The BCCI confirmed that the final match of this prestigious domestic tournament will be broadcast live from September 11 to 15 at the Centre of Excellence Ground in Bengaluru. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia emphasized the organization’s commitment to domestic cricket, stating that they have an agreement to ensure live telecasts of 100 days of domestic matches, including the Duleep Trophy.
Fans Express Discontent Over Lack of Coverage
Cricket enthusiasts in India have expressed their disappointment on social media due to the lack of live broadcasts for the Duleep Trophy, which began with two quarterfinal matches last Thursday. North Zone faced East Zone, while Central Zone took on North East Zone. The absence of coverage left fans feeling deprived of witnessing the action, especially after a month-long hiatus since the last India-England Test match concluded on August 4. The BCCI’s decision to not air the quarterfinals has sparked significant backlash from supporters who were eager to see their favorite players in action.
The Duleep Trophy this year marks a return to the traditional zonal format, a shift from the previous season’s India A, B, C, and D teams. This edition also introduces the BCCI’s new ‘serious substitution rule.’ Fans have missed out on remarkable individual performances, including Auqib Nabi’s impressive five-wicket haul and Ankit Kumar’s near double-century, among others. The lack of live coverage has left many questioning the BCCI’s commitment to promoting domestic cricket.
Standout Performances in Quarterfinal Matches
Despite the absence of live coverage, the quarterfinals showcased some exceptional performances from players. In the match between North Zone and East Zone, Auqib Nabi took five wickets for just 28 runs, while Jharkhand’s Manishi claimed six wickets for 111 runs. Ankit Kumar scored an impressive 198 runs, and Yash Dhull contributed 133 runs, with Ayush Badoni remaining unbeaten at 150.
In the Central Zone versus North East Zone match, Danish Malewar scored a double century with 203 runs, while Rajat Patidar made significant contributions with scores of 125 and 66. Shubham Sharma also shone with a score of 122, and Yash Rathod added 87 not out and 78 runs in his innings. Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami made his return, taking 1 for 100 in 23 overs and 0 for 36 in 11 overs, marking his comeback to competitive cricket.
Future Semifinals and Player Participation
Looking ahead, the Duleep Trophy semifinals are set to take place at the Centre of Excellence from September 4. However, fans will miss the opportunity to watch prominent players like Shreyas Iyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Sarfaraz Khan, who will represent West Zone in the semifinals. This absence has further fueled the disappointment among fans, especially considering that last season’s Duleep Trophy matches were broadcast live, allowing fans to engage with the tournament fully. The BCCI’s commitment to ensuring live coverage for the final is a step towards addressing the concerns raised by the cricketing community.
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