Col CK Nayudu Trophy
The Col CK Nayudu Trophy remains one of India’s most respected domestic U23 cricket tournaments, run by the BCCI and known for shaping the next generation of Indian cricket stars. Named after C.K. Nayudu, India’s first Test captain, the competition continues to be a proving ground for young talent aiming to break into the senior circuit. The tournament’s stature as a key pathway for emerging players has only grown in recent seasons.
The latest edition, played from October 16th, 2025 to March 11th, 2026, delivered a memorable finish as Tamil Nadu claimed their maiden Elite title, defeating Maharashtra by 7 wickets in the final at NPR College Ground, Dindigul. The hosts built on a strong first‑innings lead and chased down a modest target with confidence, powered by standout performances from Kiran Karthikeyan and a disciplined bowling unit. In the Plate division, Bihar emerged as champions, showcasing the depth of young talent across the country and reinforcing the tournament’s role in giving every state a competitive platform. The Col CK Nayudu Trophy continues to be a vibrant stage for India’s rising cricketers, offering fans and followers a glimpse of the country’s future stars.
Introduction
As a renowned Indian domestic cricket event, the Col CK Nayudu Trophy offers young players a chance to showcase their skills. The event has become an important part of India's cricketing program because it is one of the best places for new players to show what they can do. The trophy is named for Col CK Nayudu, who was one of India's first cricket stars and whose services to the game made it possible for others to play.
In India, people who bet on cricket see the CK Nayudu Trophy as more than just a show of ability. It is a competitive and unpredictable game where new players can make their name. With its new format of Elite and Plate Leagues, the game has taken on a new and exciting level, giving bettors new ways to look at teams and players.
With this new structure, regional teams will be competing for power. The CK Nayudu Trophy betting tips in India will be based on new dynamics, with the Plate League letting up-and-coming teams fight for a spot in the Elite League. CK Nayudu Trophy cricket betting in India is a great way to bet on this event because the new division makes it more unpredictable and exciting.
Given the revamped Elite-and-Plate structure, the tournament now mirrors promotion-and-relegation systems you’d find in top leagues, adding strategic depth to team rivalries and betting angles. The chance for teams from the Plate League to earn promotion injects fresh unpredictability into matchups - making every game a calculated opportunity for punters. Following this evolution, Col CK Nayudu Trophy bet India insights on IndiaBetMaster.com gain even more relevance, as detailed form analysis and league positioning can shape smarter decisions across both Elite and Plate brackets.
For those curious to explore these same insights with local flavour and clarity, you can also read the article in Hindi (ककर्नल सीके नायडू ट्रॉफी हिंदी समीक्षा), offering native readers rich context on how to leverage CK Nayudu Trophy cricket betting India trends in both league tiers.
Best Online Betting Sites in India (June 2026 Comparison Guide)
Current Season
The Col CK Nayudu Trophy 2026‑2027 will run from 12 October 2026 to 1 March 2027, anchoring another long red‑ball stretch for India’s under‑23 cricketers. The BCCI has confirmed that the tournament will continue in its Elite and Plate structure, with the Elite division serving as the main competitive tier. The season also brings a major revival: the Winners vs Rest of India match returns, scheduled for 1 to 4 October 2026, giving standout performers a rare showcase before the full tournament begins. This addition marks one of the most meaningful upgrades to the U23 pathway in recent years, especially for fans who track form, match odds, and prediction angles across youth cricket.
The CK Nayudu Trophy will again be played in a two‑phase format, a structure the BCCI has retained to ensure adequate recovery time and to keep multi‑day cricket central to the development cycle. The Elite and Plate tiers will follow the same broad model used in 2025‑2026, with promotion and relegation continuing to shape competitive stakes. This system has become a reliable indicator for bettors who follow long‑format momentum, as Plate teams pushing for elevation often produce some of the season’s most intense sessions.
Broadcast access remains modest but stable. As with previous seasons, the CK Nayudu Trophy is not expected to receive television coverage, but BCCI.tv will stream selected matches, continuing the digital‑first approach that has helped younger fans and betting‑focused viewers track emerging talent. Historically, U23 competitions operate without major title sponsorships, and that pattern appears unchanged for 2026‑2027.
Based on previous domestic cycles, U23 red‑ball match fees typically sit below senior Ranji Trophy levels. What is clear is that the CK Nayudu Trophy continues to receive consistent administrative backing, with the two‑phase format and reinstated showcase match signalling a deliberate investment in long‑format youth cricket.
State associations treat the CK Nayudu Trophy as a proving ground for players on the brink of Ranji selection, and the long season window allows coaches to test temperament, workload capacity, and adaptability across conditions. For fans who enjoy reading form lines and spotting breakout performers early, this tournament often reveals the next wave of domestic regulars. The return of the Winners vs Rest of India fixture adds another layer of competitive intrigue, giving selectors and bettors a clearer read on high‑ceiling talent.
With its October‑to‑March run, the 2026‑2027 edition promises a steady flow of multi‑day cricket at a time when India’s domestic calendar is more crowded than ever. The CK Nayudu Trophy may not command the spotlight of senior tournaments, but its role in shaping India’s long‑format future is undeniable. The confirmed dates, revived showcase match, and stable Elite‑Plate structure set the stage for a season that should offer both competitive depth and strong analytical value for followers of youth cricket and betting markets alike.
Ongoing June 2026 Events
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ICC Women's Championship ODI | June 15, 2025 – June 15, 2027 | LIVE |
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ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Test | June 17, 2025 – June 15, 2027 | LIVE |
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County Championship FC | April 3, 2026 – September 27, 2026 | LIVE |
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Women's One-Day Cup List A | April 11, 2026 – September 20, 2026 | LIVE |
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Women's T20 County Cup T20 | April 29, 2026 – August 29, 2026 | LIVE |
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T20 Blast T20 | May 22, 2026 – July 18, 2026 | LIVE |
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Women's T20 Blast T20 | May 22, 2026 – July 17, 2026 | LIVE |
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Inter-Provincial Trophy (IP20) T20 | June 2–17, 2026 | LIVE |
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Sobers-Tissera Trophy Tour | June 3, 2026 – July 7, 2026 | |
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Crowe-Thorpe Trophy Test | June 4–29, 2026 | |
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ICC Women's T20 World Cup T20I | June 12, 2026 – July 5, 2026 | |
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Major League Cricket (MLC) T20 | June 18, 2026 – July 18, 2026 | |
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Inter-Provincial Cup (IP50) List A | June 30, 2026 – July 23, 2026 |
Ongoing June 2026 Events
|
ICC Women's Championship ODI | June 15, 2025 – June 15, 2027 | LIVE |
|
ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Test | June 17, 2025 – June 15, 2027 | LIVE |
|
County Championship FC | April 3, 2026 – September 27, 2026 | LIVE |
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Women's One-Day Cup List A | April 11, 2026 – September 20, 2026 | LIVE |
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Women's T20 County Cup T20 | April 29, 2026 – August 29, 2026 | LIVE |
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T20 Blast T20 | May 22, 2026 – July 18, 2026 | LIVE |
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Women's T20 Blast T20 | May 22, 2026 – July 17, 2026 | LIVE |
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Inter-Provincial Trophy (IP20) T20 | June 2–17, 2026 | LIVE |
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Sobers-Tissera Trophy Tour | June 3, 2026 – July 7, 2026 | |
|
Crowe-Thorpe Trophy Test | June 4–29, 2026 | |
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ICC Women's T20 World Cup T20I | June 12, 2026 – July 5, 2026 | |
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Major League Cricket (MLC) T20 | June 18, 2026 – July 18, 2026 | |
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Inter-Provincial Cup (IP50) List A | June 30, 2026 – July 23, 2026 |
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Previous Seasons
Past Col CK Nayudu Trophy Editions
- 2025-2026 Season
Tamil Nadu lifted the Col CK Nayudu Trophy in the 2025-2026 season, completing a memorable campaign that ran from October 16, 2025 to March 11, 2026. They defeated Maharashtra by 7 wickets in the Elite final at the NPR College Ground in Dindigul, securing their first title in the competition. The tournament followed its familiar structure with 38 teams split across four Elite groups and one Plate group, maintaining the round‑robin format that continues to shape India’s U23 talent pipeline. Bihar claimed the Plate championship, highlighting the growing competitiveness among emerging cricket regions.
The season stood out for its balanced scheduling, competitive group stages, and the continued rise of younger squads that kept fans and cricket betting followers engaged throughout. With promotion and relegation once again influencing team strategies, the tournament reinforced its role as a crucial stepping stone toward Ranji Trophy selection. The 2025-2026 edition ultimately showcased disciplined cricket, strong regional performances, and a deep pool of future-ready players, further strengthening the CK Nayudu Trophy’s importance in India’s domestic structure.
- 2024-2025 Season
Karnataka won the Col CK Nayudu Trophy in the 2024-2025 season, beating Uttar Pradesh with a lead in the first game in a thrilling final. Notable players included Aneesh KV, who won the MA Chidambaram Trophy as the Elite group's top run scorer, and P Vidyuth, who took the most wickets. Hem Chetri scored the most runs in the Plate group, and Neizekho Rupreo took the most wickets. The rise of North-Eastern teams was a memorable plot point. Meghalaya and Nagaland were promoted to the Elite groups, which showed how good the cricketing in that area was getting. During the season, there were also fierce battles, especially between Haryana and Mumbai. Fans and bettors alike were captivated by high-scoring games.
There were 37 teams in the 2024-2025 tournament. They were split into four Elite groups, with three groups having eight teams and one having seven teams, and one Plate group having six teams. In a round-robin style, teams in the Elite groups played seven games and teams in the Plate groups played five. The top two teams from each Elite group went to the quarterfinals, then the semi-finals, and finally the final. The top two teams from each Plate group played in a different final. With bonus points for batting and bowling achievements, the points system recognized smart play. Some games ended in draws because of bad weather, which showed how important it was to have a lead in the first innings. This kept bettors on edge because the results depended on tactical decisions.
There was a big effect on Indian cricket after the 2024 tournament, especially on the growth of younger players. A lot of players from the game went on to play for their states in the Indian Premier League (IPL). This made it an important event for rising stars. There was also more coverage in the media, and as local cricket became more famous, more people watched and bet on it. The tournament's finances have changed over time, with more business sponsors putting money into its success. Because of the extra money, more marketing and advertising have been done to make it a well-known game in Indian cricket.
Cricket betting fans in India can look forward to a fun and interesting season with the 2025 Col CK Nayudu Trophy. Having Elite and Plate Leagues adds a new level of uncertainty and interest, giving players more points to think about when they place their bets. This year's event has a lot of betting possibilities because of new performers, changed formats, and more media coverage. To improve their chances of winning, bettors should keep up with changes to teams, player results, and the state of the venue. The Col CK Nayudu Trophy betting tips in India will help you learn more about this exciting competition as the event becomes more well-known.
- Earlier Seasons
The previous season of the Col CK Nayudu Trophy was held on March 2024. A total of 37 teams participated in this tournament. Out of these only four teams qualified for the semi-finals which were Uttar Pradesh, Mumbai, Vidarbha, and Karnataka. The Col CK Nayudu Trophy's first semi-final, which played Mumbai against Uttar Pradesh, took place at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur on March 3, 2024. After opting to bat first, Uttar Pradesh scored a massive 381 runs in 136.5 overs. Mumbai's reply was much worse, scoring only 203 runs in 43.2 overs. Uttar Pradesh showed off their great play in the early innings of the game, as seen by their substantial lead in the first innings, even though the match ended in a draw.
On March 3, 2024, the second semi-final pitted Karnataka against Vidarbha at VCA Kalamna in Nagpur. Vidarbha had a difficult first innings, managing to score only 73 runs in 37.2 overs. Benefiting from this, Karnataka scored a formidable 466 runs in 122.3 overs. Even though Vidarbha scored 256 runs in 49.0 overs during their second innings, it was unable to close the gap. In their second innings, Karnataka scored 141 runs in 44.1 overs, needing only a modest total to win. Karnataka qualified for the final and won by 278 runs because of their impressive performance.
Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh faced off in the Col CK Nayudu Trophy final on March 10, 2024, at Bangalore's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. After batting first, Karnataka scored 358 runs in 99.5 overs. They then had an even more impressive second innings, scoring 585 runs in 151.5 overs. In their first innings, Uttar Pradesh was quite weak, scoring just 139 runs in 46.2 overs. They scored 174 runs for six wickets in 31.0 overs during their second innings. Karnataka's commanding lead in the first innings made sure they won the trophy even if the game ended in a tie. They were the better team the entire time.
| Season | Champion | Runner-up | Final Result | Event / Final Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-2026 | Tamil Nadu | Maharashtra | Tamil Nadu won by 7 wickets | NPR College Ground Dindigul |
| 2024-2025 | Punjab | Mumbai | Punjab won on first innings lead | PCA New Cricket Stadium New Chandigarh |
| 2023-2024 | Karnataka | Uttar Pradesh | Match Drawn Karnataka took first innings lead | M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore |
| 2022-2023 | Gujarat | Mumbai | Gujarat Won by 191 Runs | Sardar Patel Stadium, Valsad |
| 2021-2022 | Mumbai | Vidarbha | Mumbai Won by 75 Runs | Narendra Modi Stadium Ground 'A', Motera, Ahmedabad |
| 2019-2020 | Vidarbha | Madhya Pradesh | Vidarbha Won by 8 Wickets | Holkar Stadium, Indore |
| 2018-2019 | Punjab | Bengal | Punjab Won by 1 Wicket | Dhruv Pandove Stadium, Patiala |
| 2017-2018 | Delhi | Mumbai | Delhi Won by 5 Wickets | BKC Ground, Mumbai |
| 2016-2017 | Punjab | Andhra | Punjab Won by 101 Runs | Dhruv Pandove Stadium, Patiala |
| 2015-2016 | Mumbai | Madhya Pradesh | Match Drawn Mumbai took first innings lead | Holkar Stadium, Indore |
| 2014-2015 | Uttar Pradesh | Himachal Pradesh | Match Drawn, Uttar Pradesh took 1st innings lead | Atal Bihari Vajpayee Cricket Stadium, Amtar |
| 2007-2008 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | Mumbai Won by 2 wickets | Visakhapatnam |
* Earlier editions (1973-2007 and 2008-2014) are not documented
** 2020-2021 season was canceled due to COVID-19
History and Structure
India's first domestic cricket tournament, the Col CK Nayudu Trophy, is named for the renowned player and country's first Test captain, Col. CK Nayudu. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) created the tournament to recognize his accomplishments in Indian cricket and to provide up-and-coming players a chance to show off their skills.
The BCCI named an under-22 cricket competition in 1973-1974 in honor of C. K. Nayudu, the first captain of India in Test cricket. "Junior Tournament of India for the Colonel Nayudu Trophy" was the original name of the event. The Bombay Cricket Association donated the trophy using the money raised to honor Nayudu's memory. Zone structure was used for the competition up to the 2003-2004 season.
The BCCI reduced the competition age restriction from 25 to 23 and limited the number of Ranji Trophy players in the starting XI to three starting in the 2014-2015 season. The age restriction of 23 persisted until the 2019-2020 campaign. Beginning with the 2021-2022 season, the BCCI reinstated the 25-year age restriction.
Over the years, several teams have won the Col CK Nayudu Trophy title. The COVID-19 epidemic prevented the competition from taking place in the 2020-2021 season. Mumbai has shown to be a formidable competitor, having taken home the trophy three times: in 2007-2008, 2015-2016, and 2021-2022. After winning the 2014-2015 season, Uttar Pradesh overcame Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab won the 2016-2017 and 2018-2019 seasons. Mumbai came in second place in the 2017-2018 season, while Delhi won the title. Vidarbha demonstrated their might by triumphing in 2019-2020. Gujarat emerged victorious in the 2022-2023 season, while Mumbai finished as the runner-up once again. This demonstrates how tough the competition is, with several teams qualifying for the finals and putting up continuous strong performances.
The age categories for the Col CK Nayudu Trophy have changed over time, going from U-22 to U-23 and most recently to U-25. This development shows how the competition has been modified to better meet the demands of young Indian cricket players in terms of their growth. At first, the U-22 category offered a way for up-and-coming players to advance from junior to senior competitions. But as the game developed, the U-23 division was introduced to provide younger players with more opportunities, which helped somewhat older players mature and earn crucial experience.
The difference between junior and senior cricket is further addressed by the most recent modification to the U-25 category. It recognizes that individual players progress at different rates and that it can take them longer to realize their full potential. The event guarantees a more accessible approach by expanding the age restriction, which allows young cricketers more opportunities to develop their skills before competing at the top levels. With a stronger talent pool overall and a more robust pipeline for the national team, this change hopes to raise the bar for domestic cricket in India.
Final Thoughts
In Indian domestic cricket, the Col CK Nayudu Trophy is highly esteemed and plays a crucial role in fostering and identifying emerging talent. Several Col CK Nayudu Trophy winners have gone on to win the Ranji Trophy and even represent their country in cricket. The competition has proven to be a reliable source of talent for selectors trying to find and develop cricket's future stars.
The Col CK Nayudu Trophy is an integral part of India's cricket structure, not merely a tournament. It symbolizes the idea of developing youthful talent and getting them ready for senior cricket's difficulties. The Col CK Nayudu Trophy is still a crucial component of Indian cricket's development and success in the world arena because it keeps a steady supply of talented and competitive cricket players in place.
Bet on the Col CK Nayudu Trophy
The Col CK Nayudu Trophy is fast becoming a prime event for cricket betting enthusiasts in India. With the upcoming season introducing exciting changes like more teams and live broadcasts, bettors have even more opportunities to engage with the matches and place informed bets. As India continues to be one of the fastest-growing markets for online sports betting, the Trophy presents a unique chance to bet on emerging talents and team performances in this prestigious domestic competition.
There is a burning question we often get by the Indian bettor’s community: Is betting on the Col CK Nayudu Trophy legal in India? The answer is yes, but with some conditions. While online betting laws in India vary by state, bettors can legally place bets on the Col CK Nayudu Trophy as long as they use reputable offshore betting sites. These platforms offer a safe and regulated environment for placing wagers, providing competitive odds and a wide range of betting options on this event. Notably, the legal landscape in India is governed by the Public Gambling Act of 1867, which does not explicitly cover online betting, making it crucial to choose licensed, international platforms.
For those looking to bet on the Col CK Nayudu Trophy, IndiaBetMaster.com provides all the essential information, from top-rated betting brands to detailed guides on how to bet responsibly. The website offers insights into the latest cricket events, including the upcoming season's changes, making it easier for bettors to stay updated and make the best decisions. Whether you're a seasoned bettor or new to cricket betting, IndiaBetMaster is your go-to resource for everything you need to know about betting on the Col CK Nayudu Trophy and beyond.
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