The Deodhar Trophy teams represent India’s rich cricketing heritage and serve as a platform for budding talent. This zonal List A cricket tournament showcases six regional teams—North Zone, South Zone, East Zone, West Zone, Central Zone, and North East Zone—competing to establish dominance in domestic cricket. These teams have been instrumental in shaping the careers of several Indian cricket stars by offering them exposure to high-pressure matches.
Each team embodies the cricketing depth of its zone, bringing together top-performing players from domestic competitions like the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy. The selection process ensures a mix of experienced players and rising stars, creating a balanced and competitive environment. From North Zone’s historical dominance to North East Zone’s emerging presence, each team tells its own story of cricketing legacy and ambition.
The 2025 Deodhar Trophy teams are ready to deliver thrilling performances. With players like Mayank Agarwal, Riyan Parag, and Nitish Rana leading their zones, this year’s tournament promises to be a battleground of skills. Fans can expect exciting match-ups, high-octane rivalries, and the discovery of new talents who may soon shine on the international stage.
Key Highlights
- Overview: The Deodhar Trophy is a List A cricket tournament with six zonal teams.
- Teams Participating: North, South, East, West, Central, and North East Zones.
- Selection Process: Players are picked based on performances in domestic tournaments like Ranji and Vijay Hazare Trophy.
- Key Players in 2025: Stars like Mayank Agarwal and Riyan Parag are among the players to watch.
- Historical Records: West Zone leads with 19 titles, followed by North Zone.
- Importance: The tournament serves as a stepping stone for players aiming for the Indian national team.
Deodhar Trophy Teams: Everything You Need to Know
The Deodhar Trophy is one of India’s premier List A cricket tournaments, showcasing domestic talent at a zonal level. Named after Professor D.B. Deodhar, known as the “Grand Old Man of Indian Cricket,” the tournament began in 1973. It has become a crucial platform for discovering future Indian cricket stars.
Each year, six zonal teams compete, representing the cricketing depth of different regions in India. These teams not only highlight regional excellence but also provide players with opportunities to transition into the national team.
Participating Teams in the Deodhar Trophy
The Deodhar Trophy features six zonal teams representing the depth and diversity of Indian domestic cricket. These teams are made up of top-performing players selected from various domestic competitions like the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy.
The zonal structure ensures a balanced mix of talent and regional representation, fostering intense inter-zonal rivalries.
The Six Teams
- North Zone
- Known for its dominance in the early years of the tournament, North Zone boasts a strong cricketing legacy with players often transitioning to the national level.
- Key players: Nitish Rana, Prabhsimran Singh.
- South Zone
- A powerhouse with a history of developing all-round talent, South Zone regularly fields competitive teams featuring rising stars.
- Key players: Mayank Agarwal, Washington Sundar.
- East Zone
- Emerging as a strong contender in recent years, East Zone is notable for producing dynamic all-rounders and consistent performers.
- Key players: Riyan Parag, Shahbaz Ahmed.
- West Zone
- Consistently among the top-performing teams, West Zone features experienced players with a mix of youthful exuberance.
- Key players: Priyank Panchal, Vidwath Kaverappa.
- Central Zone
- Known for balancing experience and fresh talent, Central Zone regularly contributes to the Indian cricket pipeline.
- Key players: Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh.
- North East Zone
- The newest addition to the Deodhar Trophy, North East Zone has become a platform for developing cricket in the region.
- Key players: Langlonyamba Keishangbam, Kamsha Yangfo.
The tournament features six zonal teams:
- North Zone: Historically one of the strongest teams, with a record 13 titles.
- South Zone: Known for their balanced squads and emerging talents.
- East Zone: A rising force, producing players like Riyan Parag and Shahbaz Ahmed.
- West Zone: Consistently competitive, with a focus on all-rounders.
- Central Zone: Blends experience with youthful talent.
- North East Zone: The newest team, offering a platform for cricket’s expansion in this region.
These teams reflect India’s diversity and underline the zonal structure’s importance in domestic cricket.
Key Players in the 2025 Edition
The 2024 edition promises some exciting performances. Here’s a look at the top players from each team:
| Team | Key Players |
| North Zone | Nitish Rana, Prabhsimran Singh, Vaibhav Arora |
| South Zone | Mayank Agarwal, Washington Sundar, Devdutt Padikkal |
| East Zone | Riyan Parag, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shahbaz Ahmed |
| West Zone | Priyank Panchal, Arjun Tendulkar, Vidwath Kaverappa |
| Central Zone | Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Shivam Mavi |
| North East Zone | Langlo Yamba Laishangbam, Kamsha Yangfo |
These players bring a mix of experience and fresh talent, making the competition highly anticipated.
How Teams Are Selected for the Deodhar Trophy
The selection process is rigorous and focuses on identifying top-performing players from domestic tournaments like:
- Ranji Trophy (First-class cricket).
- Vijay Hazare Trophy (50-over format).
- Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (T20 format).
Selectors prioritize consistency, match-winning abilities, and fitness. The zonal selection process also accounts for creating a balanced team that includes batters, bowlers, and all-rounders.
Team Performances Over the Years
Here’s a quick look at the achievements of the teams:
| Team | Titles Won |
| North Zone | 13 |
| South Zone | 11 |
| West Zone | 19 |
| Central Zone | 5 |
| East Zone | 4 |
| North East Zone | Yet to win |
North Zone and West Zone have dominated historically, while South Zone remains a formidable challenger.
Deodhar Trophy 2025 Schedule and Expectations
Tentative Schedule for 2025
While specific dates for the 2025 Deodhar Trophy have not yet been officially announced, the tournament typically follows the Vijay Hazare Trophy on the domestic calendar.
Based on prior schedules, it is expected to take place between January and February 2025, allowing players ample preparation for the international cricket season.
The venues could include established locations like Vizag, Jaipur, or Puducherry, which have hosted matches in previous editions.
What to Expect in 2025
The 2025 Deodhar Trophy will feature intense competition among six zonal teams—North Zone, South Zone, East Zone, West Zone, Central Zone, and North East Zone. As the tournament often serves as a proving ground for emerging players, it is anticipated to:
- Highlight young talent aiming for selection in India’s national cricket team.
- Test players’ abilities in high-pressure matches in the 50-over format.
- Showcase competitive games as teams fight for supremacy in inter-zonal rivalries.
Additionally, key players like Riyan Parag, Mayank Agarwal, and Nitish Rana may return as star performers, alongside emerging talent from domestic tournaments such as the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy
The Deodhar Trophy is a domestic List A cricket tournament in India, featuring teams representing different zones. The tournament has evolved over the years, and the most recent edition was held in 2023.
Teams in the 2025 Deodhar Trophy
The 2025 edition of the Deodhar Trophy included six teams, each representing a different zone:
- North Zone
- Captain: Nitish Rana
- Notable Players: Mandeep Singh, Shubham Rohilla, Rishi Dhawan
- South Zone
- Captain: Mayank Agarwal
- Notable Players: Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan, Washington Sundar
- East Zone
- Captain: Saurabh Tiwary
- Notable Players: Riyan Parag, Virat Singh
- West Zone
- Captain: Priyank Panchal
- Notable Players: Prithvi Shaw, Shivam Dube
- Central Zone
- Captain: Venkatesh Iyer
- Notable Players: Rinku Singh, Karn Sharma
- North East Zone
- Captain: Langlonyamba Meitan Keishangbam
- Notable Players: Ashish Thapa, Kangabam Singh
These teams competed in a round-robin format leading to the finals, with South Zone emerging as the champion by defeating East Zone in the final match
Significance of the Deodhar Trophy in 2025
The tournament continues to play a critical role in strengthening India’s cricket ecosystem. It bridges domestic excellence with international aspirations, ensuring a competitive environment for nurturing future stars.
Conclusion
The Deodhar Trophy is more than just a domestic tournament—it’s a celebration of India’s cricketing diversity. The teams and players involved embody the competitive spirit of Indian cricket and contribute to the nation’s growing pool of talent. As we gear up for the 2024 edition, all eyes will be on these zonal teams to deliver another memorable season.