A Sooryavanshi special in a big game in the longest format could be the perfect appetiser for the domestic season.
| Photo Credit: R. RAGU
The Indian cricketing calendar is jam-packed with international matches, the IPL and other State-run T20 leagues in addition to multi-format domestic competitions.Nestled in this congested schedule, tournaments like the Duleep Trophy, once a marquee event in which the top players took part, are fighting for relevance.Still, the powers that be have tried to keep the legacy events alive through numerous tweaks. Back in the zonal avatar since last year, this prestigious tournament is now the curtain-raiser for the domestic season, the summit clash of which will see South Zone take on East Zone here at the MAC Stadium from Sunday.The next five days offer proven performers from last year and some of India’s top stars a chance to show their wares and fine-tune skills.The arrival of Devdutt Padikkal and Mohammed Siraj has bolstered the Tilak Varma-led South.Padikkal, who recently scored centuries in both Tests against Sri Lanka, in which he was also the Player-of-the-Series, will look to continue his purple patch.
South’s Karun and Jagadeesan get another chance to showcase their skills.
