Challenger Trophy tourney from February 10

If the Indian players find the international schedule very heavy, what with the number of tours, Tests and one day competitions, those playing in the domestic circuit too would feel the same. With the increasing number of tournaments, the Indian domestic schedule is pretty tight these days. Even while the Ranji Trophy tournament was on, there was a break to accommodate the Duleep Trophy. And now with another break in the Ranji Trophy before the Super League commences on February 5, the rush is on to get the one day competitions over and done with. So in quick succession, we had the Wills Trophy on a knock out basis and now currently the Deodhar Trophy is being conducted on a league basis at various centres in the West Zone. And from February 10 to 13, the Challenger Trophy tournament will be held at Ahmedabad.

The national selectors are to meet in Mumbai on January 31 to pick the India, India A and India B teams for the tournament. The big difference between the Challenger on the one hand and the Wills and Deodhar Trophy on the other is that all the stars, including the players who are in Australia at present, are expected to take part in the Ahmedabad competition.

After the Challenger the focus will be on the Test series and one day internationals against South Africa. The Board President's XI to play against South Africa at the Brabourne stadium in Mumbai from February 19 to 21 will be chosen during the Challenger Trophy. The team for the first Test against the tourists who are scheduled to reach Mumbai on February 16, will be picked during the Mumbai game. The first Test will be played at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai from February 24 to 28.