BCCI panel suggests postponing 2016 Duleep Trophy

Mumbai, May 19 (IANS) The Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) technical committee on Tuesday recommended postponement of the 2016 Duleep Trophy, scheduled to be held during March-April, as it will clash with the World Twenty20 tournament India is to host during that period.

"Considering that India is hosting the ICC World T20 2016 in March-April 2016, the Committee proposed to postpone the Duleep Trophy, which is scheduled during that period," a BCCI release said.

"It was also proposed to revamp the current format of the Deodhar Trophy and have three teams participating - the winner of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, and two teams picked by the national selectors," it said.

The technical committee, chaired by spin legend Anil Kumble, also decided to revamp the Ranji Trophy points system to encourage outright wins, also re-formatting the One-Day Inter-State Seniors' tournament and the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament.

"In continuation to the efforts made over the years, a review of the existing points system in the Ranji Trophy was discussed with an objective to encourage teams to aim for outright victories," the release said.

"It was proposed to abolish the current system of awarding 3 points for the first innings lead and 1 point for the other team, and introduce a bonus point system for batting and bowling, applicable in the first innings only," it added.

"One bonus point will be awarded to a team scoring 300 runs in 85 overs and one bonus point for a team taking 7 wickets in 85 overs. However, the current system of awarding 6 points for an outright win and a bonus point if applicable, will continue," added.

"It was also proposed to reformat the One-Day Inter-State Seniors' tournament and the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament by forming four groups from across the country, as against the current zonal system."

The technical committee gave its suggestions to the BCCI's working committee. Kumble hoped the proposed changes will make domestic cricket more enthralling.

"It was a fruitful discussion with an increased focus on strengthening domestic cricket. These recommendations are a summary of three major meetings, which includes the Captains & Coaches Conclave and the Technical Committee meetings, this year," Kumble said on Tuesday.

"We hope that some of the measures suggested, will make domestic cricket more interesting and challenging," Kumble added.