Cricket is more than just a game in India; it would be an understatement. Right from the grassroots levels to the international stage, there are a number of players playing cricket passionately. Finding the right cricketing talent becomes possible because of the various cricket trophies in India. Various tournaments in India help the players to get groomed and also the selectors to pick the right players. Both men and women players enjoy excellent infrastructure for cricket in India, right from their childhood days.
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Cricket Trophies in India for Men
The following is the list of cricket trophies in India for men:
Ranji Trophy
The Ranji Trophy is the real test of character for players in India. This competition is one of the oldest, dating back to 1935. The Ranji Trophy is played every year, with the red ball challenging the batters. Each Ranji Trophy match is played for 4 to 5 days, depending on the stage of the tournament. While most states have only one team, big states like Gujarat and Maharashtra have 3 teams each.
Mumbai has dominated the Ranji Trophy tournament, having won the title 42 times. The way teams are grouped has evolved over the years. Currently, there are four elite groups with eight teams each, and the remaining teams play in the plate group.
Irani Trophy
The Irani Trophy is an exciting fixture where the Ranji Trophy-winning team takes on the Rest of India team. This one-off match sees a lot of talented Indian players share the stage to give an exceptional cricket experience to fans.
Duleep Trophy
The Duleep Trophy, which began in 1961-62, is played in an interzonal format. The format of this tournament has undergone many changes over the years. From 2016 to 2020, the Duleep Trophy was played with three teams: India Blue, India Red, and India Green. In 2024, four teams were part of the Duleep Trophy, where top players like Rishabh Pant participated.
Vijay Hazare Trophy
This is the ODI version of domestic cricket in India, where different states and regional teams compete for glory. The Vijay Hazare Trophy started in 2002-03, with Tamil Nadu being the most successful team, having won the trophy five times.
Deodhar Trophy
This is played in a 50-over format like the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the difference being that here only 3 teams participate. India A, India B, and India C compete for the title. This tournament started in 1973-74, where it was played as an interzonal competition.
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is played in the T20 format, where the Ranji Trophy teams participate. Tamil Nadu has dominated this competition, winning it a record three times. The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy started in 2006-07, laying a solid base for innovative and attacking players.
Indian Premier League
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the biggest domestic T20 tournament in the world. The tournament began in 2008, where eight teams competed against each other. The popularity of the league has grown immensely, with ten teams now competing for the trophy. With the mix of foreign players and Indian talent, this league offers exciting and aggressive cricket.
Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are the most successful teams in the IPL, having won the trophy five times each.
Apart from IPL, most states have their own premier cricket league, like the Maharashtra Premier League (MPL), Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), and so on.
Cricket Trophies in India for Women
Women’s cricket in India has seen a tremendous rise, thanks to the way Indian women have played on a global stage recently. With WPL, women’s cricket in India is gaining momentum, inspiring the next generation of girls to take up the sport.
The following is a list of women’s trophies in India:
Women’s Premier League (WPL)
The WPL began in 2023 and has already made its mark in women’s cricket. With a mix of foreign and domestic players, the young players can learn a lot during the competition. Mumbai Indians have won two out of the three editions of WPL, making them the most successful team.
Senior Women’s One Day Trophy
This is similar to the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where senior women play in the 50-over format. State and regional women’s teams compete to win the title.
Senior Women’s T20 Trophy
This is a senior women’s T20 tournament to groom and boost the upcoming talent in the country. The tournament is played between the women of the regional and state teams.
Senior Women’s T20 Challenger Trophy
The Senior Women’s T20 Challenger Trophy is played among four teams: India A, India B, India C, and India D.
Apart from the cricket trophies mentioned above, there are various age-group tournaments played throughout the country.
Concluding Thoughts on Cricket Trophies in India
The future of Indian cricket looks bright, and the main reason is the various tournaments that are played right from the age groups. Both men and women players give it their all to lift the different trophies in India. Players who have not been selected for the national side can return to competitions like the Ranji Trophy to get back in form.
Indian cricket will keep prospering, as its roots, i.e., the domestic structure, are strong.
FAQs
The Ranji Trophy is the most valued red-ball competition in India.
Mumbai, with 42 titles, has won the Ranji Trophy the most times.
CSK and MI are the most successful teams in the IPL, with five trophies each.
