BCCI May Move Duleep Trophy Final From CoE, Increases Live Broadcasts of Domestic Matches

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering a change of venue for this season’s Duleep Trophy final, with secretary Devajit Saikia indicating that the title clash could be moved from the Centre of Excellence (CoE) to a stadium where spectators can attend.

The 2026-27 domestic season is scheduled to begin with the Duleep Trophy, which will be played from August 23 to September 10 at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence. However, the facility does not currently permit spectators, owing to restrictions attached to the premises.

Saikia said the board cannot override those regulations but acknowledged that the absence of crowds is something that could be reconsidered, particularly 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 in the presence of president Mithun Manhas, VVS Laxman and joint secretary Prabhtej Singh.

While general spectators will not be permitted, Saikia noted that a limited number of people closely associated with the participating teams can enter the premises. At the same time, the BCCI has attempted to make more domestic cricket accessible to fans by increasing the number of matches receiving live television coverage.

“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 possibility of shifting the Duleep Trophy final remains open, with the BCCI willing to assess whether another stadium can accommodate the match and allow supporters to attend.

“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,” Saikia said.

For the time being, however, the board’s primary solution has been to expand television coverage of domestic cricket. The move is aimed at ensuring that supporters can follow more of the domestic season despite restrictions on physical attendance at the CoE.

“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.