The Duleep Trophy is one of India’s premier domestic cricket tournaments. Over the years, numerous players have dazzled with their bat, amassing impressive runs and setting high benchmarks.
It is a first class format played at domestic level in India. It is generally played for 4–5 days per match. It started in 1961-62 at zonal level. At that time, they represented the North, South, East, West, and Central zones.
It is generally played between August and September, where a number of players prepare themselves for international test matches. The players who perform well in this tournament are often looked in line for national selection.
Over the years, it has evolved. This time in 2024, it will be played between 4 teams - Team A, Team B, Team C and Team D. It is going to start from 5th September 2024.
In this article, we’ll delve into the top 20 highest run-getters in the Duleep Trophy, providing a detailed look at their performances, the context of their achievements, and their impact on Indian cricket.
Top 20 Highest Run-Getters in the Duleep Trophy
1. Wasim Jaffer -
Wasim Jaffer dominated the Duleep Trophy over multiple seasons. He represented the West Zone from 1996 to 2018. He was renowned for his technical prowess and solid temperament, which made him a stalwart in Indian domestic cricket. He has scored 2545 runs.
2. VVS Laxman -
VVS Laxman amassed 2341 runs while playing for South Zone between 1995 and 2012. He was known for his elegant stroke play. Laxman was a class act who often delivered under pressure.
3. Rahul Dravid -
Rahul Dravid, who is famously known as "The Wall" of Indian cricket, has also scored more than 2100 runs in this tournament. His patient and disciplined approach helped him accumulate runs for South Zone from 1991 to 2009. He made 2109 runs.
4. Mohammad Kaif -
Mohammad Kaif played for Central Zone from 1998 to 2014. He was a solid middle-order batsman with a strong reputation. He scored 1920 runs in this tournament.
5. Ajay Sharma -
Ajay Sharma was an aggressive batsman. He represented the North Zone from 1984 to 2001. He consistently delivered solid performances throughout his career by scoring 1809 runs.
6. Suresh Raina -
Suresh Raina played for Central Zone from 2003 to 2016. He was known for his aggressive style, showcasing his versatility and ability to adapt to different situations. He has scored 1712 runs for his team.
7. Gautam Gambhir -
Gautam Gambhir played for North Zone from 2002 to 2018 by scoring 1635 runs to his name. He has a solid technique and gritty determination which helped him accumulate runs, often playing match-winning knocks.
8. Cheteshwar Pujara -
Cheteshwar Pujara is known for his remarkable concentration and rock-solid technique. He played for West Zone from 2008 to 2018, where he was consistently delivering key performances. He was able to make 1590 runs in this tournament.
9. Rohit Sharma -
Rohit Sharma, who is also the current Indian Test Captain, has played for the West Zone from 2007 to 2018. He has made 1498 runs. He is known for his explosive batting, contributing several big scores with his attacking style.
10. Yuvraj Singh -
The flamboyant Yuvraj Singh represented North Zone from 2000 to 2014 by scoring 1453 runs to his name. He is known for playing several key innings at crucial moments with his aggressive left-handed batting.
11. Shikhar Dhawan -
Shikhar Dhawan is known for his aggressive starts at the top. He has played for North Zone from 2005 to 2018, often providing momentum early in the innings. He has scored a good of 1402 runs in this tournament.
12. Virender Sehwag -
Virender Sehwag’s explosive batting style made him a significant contributor to North Zone from 1997 to 2013. Often taking apart opposition attacks with his aggressive approach, he has scored 1354 runs.
13. Robin Uthappa -
Robin Uthappa, a reliable opener, consistently performed for South Zone from 2004 to 2017, providing solid starts to his team. He made 1328 runs with his bat.
14. Ajinkya Rahane -
Ajinkya Rahane’s consistency across formats saw him accumulate runs for West Zone from 2007 to 2018. He has played crucial innings with his technically sound batting scoring 1309 runs.
15. Manoj Tiwary -
Manoj Tiwary played several vital innings under pressure, representing East Zone from 2005 to 2018, with his solid middle-order batting. He has contributed in this tournament by scoring 1278 runs.
16. Parthiv Patel -
Parthiv Patel, the wicket-keeper-batsman, balanced both roles well for West Zone from 2002 to 2018. He contributed significantly with the bat by making 1263 runs.
17. Dinesh Karthik -
Dinesh Karthik represented South Zone from 2004 to 2017, adding significant runs to the middle order and displaying his adaptability. He has scored 1230 runs.
18. Murali Vijay -
Murali Vijay’s ability to bat for long durations made him a valuable player for South Zone from 2006 to 2017, providing stability at the top. He has made 1185 runs.
19. Ambati Rayudu -
Ambati Rayudu, representing West Zone from 2004 to 2017, played crucial innings with his ability to stabilize the middle order. He has scored 1134 runs.
20. Prithvi Shaw -
Prithvi Shaw began his Duleep Trophy career in 2017 and has been representing West Zone with his aggressive and dynamic batting style ever since. He has scored 1098 runs.
The Duleep Trophy has long been a critical platform for Indian cricketers to prove their mettle in red-ball cricket. The top 20 run-getters in the tournament have consistently displayed their talent and resilience over the years. Their performances have not only enriched their personal records but also contributed to the tournament's rich legacy.
