Outrageous: BCCI draws backlash for not broadcasting Duleep Trophy quarterfinal

Cricket supporters were furious with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) because the Indian domestic season 2025–2026 began without giving them an opportunity to watch them play in the Duleep Trophy. At the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru, the zonal first-class tournament got underway on Thursday, August 28. The two quarterfinal matches pitted Central against North East Zone and North against East Zone.

Unlike the previous year, there is no live broadcast of the tournament, which is named after K.S. Duleepsinhji, and it started on August 28 and will end on September 15. Fans could watch the action in 2024 on the JioCinema app (later amalgamated with Hotstar under the JioHotstar name) and Sports18 Network.

The Duleep Trophy returned to its old zonal knockout structure for the 2025–2026 season. North Zone, East Zone, Central Zone, North East Zone, South Zone, and West Zone are the six teams that are in competition. The format from the previous year, when the India A, B, C, and D teams participated in a round-robin event, has changed. With 19 titles apiece, West Zone and North Zone have shared the most victories.

At the moment, a number of Twenty20 competitions controlled by Indian state associations are televised around the country on various channels. The UPT20 League is available on Sony Sports Network, while the Delhi Premier League, Karnataka's Maharaja T20 Trophy, and the Kerala Cricket League are broadcast on Star Sports Network and streaming service FanCode.

Cricket fans attacked the Indian cricket regulatory body, the wealthiest cricket outfit in the world, on social media. A lot of users quickly pointed out that even smaller competitions are now broadcast live, and that the current Buchi Babu Trophy is being live-streamed on YouTube. A number of cricket fans questioned the BCCI's commitment to domestic cricket. In addition, there is no way to watch the game, and supporters were not permitted to enter the COE to witness the players in action.

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