The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiled a revamped domestic cricket calendar for the 2024-25 season, with a surprising twist for the CK Nayudu Trophy. While the season kicks off with the Duleep Trophy in September, followed by the Irani Cup and the initial rounds of the Ranji Trophy, all eyes are on the CK Nayudu Trophy where the coin toss will be a thing of the past.
Unprecedented changes by BCCI!
In a first for Indian domestic cricket, the BCCI has abolished the toss for CK Nayudu Trophy matches. Instead, the visiting team will now have the privilege of choosing whether to bat or bowl first. This decision marks a significant departure from tradition and could potentially impact the way the game unfolds at the Under-23 level.
“The CK Nayudu Trophy introduces a revamped points system aimed at fostering balanced performances. This includes the attribution of points for batting and bowling prowess in the first innings, alongside points for securing the first innings lead or achieving an outright victory,” said BCCI in a media advisory.
It will be interesting to see how this change impacts strategies and team performances. Will the visiting teams consistently pick bowling first to exploit unknown pitches, or will they gamble on batting first and setting a strong total? Only time will tell how this innovative approach plays out in the upcoming season.
