{
  "id": 4620766,
  "title": "West Zone coach Amit Dani wants Duleep Trophy’s knock-out format changed",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/west-zone-coach-amit-dani-wants-duleep-trophys-knock-out-format",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-31T10:07:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/west-zone-coach-amit-dani-100700405.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mumbai: West Zone coach Amit Dani has called for changes to the Duleep Trophy’s knockout format, arguing that the tournament's current structure is unfair to players and selectors. After West Zone was eliminated in the quarterfinals, Dani suggested that the BCCI consider skipping knockout matches until the final. This would give players more opportunities to showcase their skills and allow selectors to assess their performance over a longer period. In particular, Dani highlighted the need for more games for players such as Tanush Kotian, whose performance was limited to just one match due to the knockout format. Despite West's early exit, Dani praised the efforts of Musheer Khan, Anshul Kamboj, and Tushar Deshpande, expressing hope that they would be considered for the India A or Rest of India squad for the upcoming Irani Cup.",
  "summary": "MUMBAI: When the Duleep Trophy semifinals began at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on Sunday, 19-time champions West Zone were conspicuous by their absence. West crashed out after a 52-run defeat to North Zone in a low-scoring quarterfinal, with North posting 251 and 222, while West managed 187 and 234. Former Mumbai first-class cricketer Amit Dani, who coached West Zone this season,…",
  "key_points": [
    "West Zone coach Amit Dani wants Duleep Trophy's knockout format changed.",
    "Current knockout structure unfair to players and selectors.",
    "Suggest skipping knockout matches until final for more game opportunities."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}