PRESS NOTE - CLARIFICATION
In continuation to the press release, detailing the domestic calendar sent by the BCCI yesterday, it has been observed that few sections of the media have erroneously reported that the Duleep Trophy has been scrapped/dropped from this year.
BCCI wishes to clarify that this is incorrect and reiterate that the Duleep Trophy remains an integral part of the domestic calendar.
India will play 12 Test matches at home in the next Season (2016-17) between October-March. Duleep trophy will be the curtain raiser for the forthcoming domestic season and provide a platform for the players to stake a claim.
This year's schedule has been planned to ensure that prominence for various domestic competitions is relevant to Indiaās international calendar and in particular with India hosting the ICC World Twenty20.
In addition, due to extreme weather conditions that is prevalent in the North India and parts of East India during peak winter, BCCI wanted to ensure that the Ranji Trophy matches were not affected. All the zonal tournaments have been planned in that interim period, thereby ensuring level playing field for everyone.
BCCI wishes to reaffirm its keenness to add more relevance to the Duleep Trophy in the coming years and to prepare our cricketers for Test cricket.
BCCI
