India perhaps has the strongest first-class cricket structure. And it wouldn’t have been possible without premier first-class tournaments organised in the country.
One such tournament is the Duleep Trophy. The tournament, named after Kumar Shri Duleepsinhji, dates back to 1961.
A total of 21 teams have featured in the tournament to date. Even overseas teams have played in the red-ball competition.
But which among them is the most successful team in the Duleep Trophy?
In this article, we’ll look at the top 9 most successful teams in Duleep Trophy history.
Most Successful Teams in Duleep Trophy
9. India A – 1 Title
The 2024 iteration had a different format in place. Four teams – India A, India B, India C, and India D – took on each other in a round-robin format. All four teams had prominent players in their ranks.
Despite losing the first match, India A staged a remarkable comeback. They won their next two round robin matches to set up a final with India C.
In a bowler-dominated final, India A eked out a 132-run win to claim their maiden Duleep Trophy title.
8. Elite Group C Team – 1 Title
Elite Group C won the Duleep Trophy in the only season they played in. In 2003, the BCCI formed teams on the basis of the Ranji Trophy groups.
There were five teams, which played in a round-robin format. Elite Group C topped the points table after winning and drawing two Tests each. Since there was no final, Elite Group C claimed the title for being the table toppers.
7. India Red – 2 Titles
From 2016 to 2019, the BCCI organised the Duleep Trophy between three teams – India Red, India Blue, and India Green.
India Red made it to the summit clash in four seasons and won the trophy in two. They overcame India Blue in the pink-ball tournament in 2017 and India Green in 2019.
6. India Blue – 2 Titles
India Blue also won the competition twice. They clinched the trophy in alternate years in 2016 and 2018. In both seasons played with pink balls, India Blue beat India Red in the final.
5. East Zone – 2 Titles
East Zone is the least dominant zonal team in the Duleep Trophy. They have won the trophy in only two seasons.
While East Zone reached the final in seven seasons, they had to wait for 51 years to clinch their first Duleep Trophy. They defeated Central Zone in the 2011-12 final by an innings and 20 runs. The next year, East Zone won the trophy again after securing a first innings lead over Central Zone.
4. Central Zone – 6 Titles
Central Zone have fared much better than East Zone. And their wait was also shorter, 10 years, to win their first title.
In fact, Central Zone were the first team to win the Duleep Trophy other than West Zone and South Zone. They halted both zones’ dominant run in the 1971-72 season.
In all, Central Zone have laid their hands on the title six times. And they have reached the final in 14 seasons.
3. South Zone – 13 Titles
South Zone is the third most successful team in the Duleep Trophy. The team has often seen technically sound players from the Southern states on its roster.
Thanks to them, South Zone has clinched the title 13 times. They made their first final in the inaugural edition. Two years later, South Zone’s first title came in 1963, although they shared it with West Zone.
South Zone constantly challenged the might of West Zone and North Zone from the 1960s to the 1990s, winning 11 trophies. Their performance, though, has taken a hit in the 21st century, with just two victories.
2. North Zone – 18 Titles
North Zone started to make noise in the 1970s. That was the decade when they first lifted the Duleep Trophy in 1973 before adding two more in 1978 and 1979.
Then they came out as consistent performers in the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s. North Zone added 14 titles in these three decades. Their most recent victory came in 2013 when they shared the trophy with South Zone.
1. West Zone – 19 Titles
The West Zone occupies the top spot. They have lifted the Duleep Trophy 19 times.
Ever since the tournament’s inception in 1961, the West Zone has been the most consistent team. They have made the final of the Duleep Trophy in 33 seasons.
And the reason behind their massive dominance is the finest players produced by the West Zone. The team ropes in top players from Mumbai, Maharashtra, Baroda, Gujarat, and Saurashtra.
The West Zone had a dominating run from the 1960s to the 1980s, winning 13 titles. Then a dry spell followed until 1997, when they shared the trophy with the Central Zone. Since 2000, they have added five trophies, with the latest title coming in the 2022-23 season.
