A Silent Start to a High-Stakes Tournament
The Duleep Trophy 2025 kicked off on August 28 at Bengaluru’s BCCI Centre of Excellence. It’s India’s premier domestic red-ball tournament. This year, it returned to the six-team zonal format. Fans were excited for intense cricket. But there was a big problem: no live broadcast. No TV, no streaming. Fans were left in the dark. Despite this, the day was full of action. Rajat Patidar smashed a rapid century. Danish Malewar played a marathon innings. A young spinner named Manishi stole the show. Here’s a detailed look at Day 1.
The Broadcast Blackout: A Blow to Domestic Cricket
Why No Coverage Hurts
The BCCI is the richest cricket board in the world. Last year, the Duleep Trophy was shown live. This year, it wasn’t. Fans couldn’t watch stars like Mohammed Shami or rising talents like Manishi. Social media was full of complaints. People called it “shameful.” Without broadcasts, great performances lose impact. A century in an unseen game doesn’t resonate like an IPL cameo. This hurts players’ chances to shine. It also makes domestic cricket feel less important.
Impact on Fans and Players
Fans love following domestic stars. They want to see the next Virat Kohli or Jasprit Bumrah. But without live coverage, they’re stuck with scorecards. Young players like Danish Malewar miss out on exposure. Even big names like Patidar need visibility to push for national selection. The BCCI says domestic cricket builds Test stars. But not showing the games sends the wrong message. It suggests the Duleep Trophy isn’t a priority. Fans and players deserve better.
On-Field Action: Two Contrasting Battles
Central Zone’s Dominance in Bengaluru
In the first quarter-final, Central Zone faced North East Zone. North East chose to bowl first. It was a bad call. Central’s batsmen crushed them. They scored 400 for 2 in 73.1 overs. Rajat Patidar led the charge. He scored 125 off 96 balls, with 18 fours and 2 sixes. His century came in just 80 balls. Danish Malewar was unbeaten on 180. Their 343-run partnership broke North East’s spirit. Aryan Juyal added 60 before retiring hurt. North East’s bowlers had no answers. Jotin Pheiroijam took both wickets but gave away 85 runs.
This game showed a problem with the zonal format. Central Zone has strong players from big states. North East is still developing. The gap in quality was clear. Patidar’s century was brilliant but came against a weak attack. Selectors may struggle to judge such performances.
A Tight Contest in the North vs. East Clash
The second quarter-final was more balanced. North Zone batted first against East Zone. East’s captain, Riyan Parag, chose to bowl. His bowlers kept North in check. By tea, North were 228 for 5. Manishi, a 21-year-old spinner, took 3 wickets. He dismissed Shubham Khajuria (26), Ankit Kumar (30), and Yash Dhull (39). Mohammed Shami, back from injury, bowled 12 overs. He took 1 wicket late in the day. Ayush Badoni’s 63 off 60 balls gave North some fight. Nishant Sindhu scored 47 but fell short of a fifty.
This match showed red-ball grit. North’s batsmen got starts but couldn’t convert. East’s bowlers, led by Manishi, kept the pressure on. It was a great test for selectors looking for Test-ready players.
Standout Performers: Who Caught the Eye?
Rajat Patidar’s Fiery Comeback
Rajat Patidar had a point to prove. Dropped after a tough Test debut, he stepped up as Central’s stand-in captain. His 125 was a statement. He attacked from the start, hitting boundaries all around. His quick century showed he’s ready for another India chance. Patidar’s leadership and batting were flawless.
Danish Malewar’s Marathon Knock
Danish Malewar was the perfect partner for Patidar. The 21-year-old scored an unbeaten 180. His innings was calm and focused. He rotated the strike and punished loose balls. After Patidar’s exit, he took charge. His third first-class century marked him as a future star.
Manishi’s Breakthrough Spell
Manishi, a young left-arm spinner, was the day’s surprise. He took 3 key wickets for East Zone. His accuracy got Khajuria and Kumar lbw. Dismissing the talented Dhull was a big moment. His 3 for 62 showed his potential. India needs new spinners, and Manishi made a strong case.
Mohammed Shami’s Steady Return
All eyes were on Mohammed Shami. Back from injury, he bowled with control. His 12 overs showed no signs of rust. He took 1 wicket, dismissing Sahil Lotra. Shami’s fitness was the big win. He’s on track to lead India’s pace attack again.
Off-Field Issues: Captaincy Chaos
Three captains missed Day 1. Shubman Gill, Dhruv Jurel, and Abhimanyu Easwaran were out with illness or injury. Ankit Kumar, Rajat Patidar, and Riyan Parag stepped in. Patidar thrived, but the absences raised concerns. So many injuries on Day 1 suggest players aren’t fully ready. The BCCI needs to look at workload and fitness plans.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next?
Day 1 set the stage for more drama. Central Zone will aim to bat big on Day 2. Malewar could target a double century. North East needs quick wickets. In the other game, North Zone will fight to build a big total. East’s bowlers, led by Manishi, will try to wrap things up. The broadcast issue remains a concern. Fans hope the BCCI fixes it soon. The Duleep Trophy is too important to stay silent.
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