BCCI to look into moving Duleep Trophy final to stadium: Secretary Saikia

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia on Sunday said the board will look into relocating this season’s Duleep Trophy final from the Centre of Excellence to a stadium, and revealed that the number of live-telecast domestic matches has been increased to give fans an opportunity to watch more action in real-time.

The 2026-27 domestic season will begin with the Duleep Trophy, which is scheduled between August 23 and September 10 at the BCCI CoE.  However, spectators are not allowed inside the premises, and Saikia promised a relook at least for the final.

“There are some restrictions while this land was adopted here…that we cannot have a crowd in this campus. So, that is a government restriction. We cannot violate that,” Saikia told select media at the BCCI CoE, which was also attended by president Mithun Manhas, VVS Laxman, joint secretary Prabhtej Singh.

“But people very close to the team members can come. But this year, we have increased the number of matches to be telecast live. That way, we are giving the fans to watch their favourite players and teams performing in the ring properly,” Saikia added.

The secretary said the BCCI will look into the possibility of hosting the title clash at a different venue. 

“That is one way, and we will definitely appreciate your suggestions on whether the final can be hosted in a stadium or not. We still have time. We’ll look into that aspect. If required, we’ll do that.  “But for the time being, what we have done is to increase the number of matches which are live telecasted from last year,” he said.