India is gearing up for a busy Test season with the goal of reaching the final of the World Test Championship 2025 (WTC). Led by Rohit Sharma, the team will play 10 Test matches over four months. The BCCI has required star cricketers and Test specialists to play in the Duleep Trophy, except for the legendary trio.

Currently, the focus is on the Indian white ball team as they prepare for a T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka. Gautam Gambhir will lead the team as head coach for the first time. However, the national team will soon shift its focus to red ball cricket with a packed Test season ahead.

BCCI’s Duleep Trophy mandate

India is set to play 10 Test matches in four months, starting with a two match series against Bangladesh on September 19, followed by three matches against New Zealand at home. Then, the team will travel to Australia for a five match series to retain the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) and aim for a third consecutive series win on Australian soil.

Before this intense Test season, Indian cricketers will get back into red ball mode in the Duleep Trophy 2024 from September 5th to 22nd. This competition features top players from all six zones.

Preparation through Duleep Trophy

According to the Press Trust of India (PTI), BCCI secretary Jay Shah has mandated that even star cricketers must play in the Duleep Trophy. The BCCI wants India’s Test specialists to play at least one or two games before the Test series against Bangladesh. However, an exception has been made for Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah, who can choose whether to participate or not.

The selection for the Duleep Trophy will be done by the men’s senior team selection committee, with all Test team stars, except Kohli, Rohit, and Bumrah unless they decide to play.