CK Nayudu Trophy 2026: U23 Domestic Cricket Format Explained

The CK Nayudu Trophy is the Under-23 multi-day red-ball tournament run by the BCCI and it is arguably the most important feeder for India A and the senior Test side. Named after India's first Test captain Colonel CK Nayudu, the tournament gives 21 and 22-year-olds their first proper taste of three-day first-class cricket. Here is a full breakdown of the 2026 edition, how the format works, who the standout names are and why every serious Indian cricket fan should track it.

Format and structure of the CK Nayudu Trophy

The CK Nayudu Trophy is a four-day first-class tournament contested between state association U23 teams. The BCCI typically splits the 38-odd teams into Elite and Plate groups, with further sub-groups for logistics. Each team plays a round robin within its group, with the top sides from each group qualifying for knockouts, culminating in a final. Points are allocated for a win, a first-innings lead, and bonus batting and bowling points that reward dominance even inside a drawn match.

The tournament is first-class, which means runs and wickets count towards a player's career first-class record. That matters because when selectors compare two U23 players, the CK Nayudu record often decides who gets promoted to the senior Ranji squad or India A.

Why this tournament matters for India's pipeline

Almost every recent India Test debutant between 20 and 25 played the CK Nayudu Trophy within the last three years. The tournament is where a young batter finds out whether they can score 150s and 200s across two innings, and whether a bowler can take a ten-wicket match haul on a pitch that does not help them. The step-up from age-group cricket to senior Ranji is enormous, and CK Nayudu is the in-between rung.

Equally, it is where late bloomers emerge. Several India-capped players made their reputation with a big CK Nayudu season after being overlooked at U19. The selectors watch the stats, and a player averaging 55 at U23 will be fast-tracked if they keep performing.

Teams, groups and venues for 2026

The 2026 CK Nayudu Trophy features every state association with a senior Ranji entry. The Elite group includes the traditional heavyweights such as Mumbai, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Bengal, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Vidarbha, Saurashtra, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Hyderabad and Railways, along with emerging sides like Jharkhand, Haryana, Services and Punjab. The Plate group gives smaller associations and the newer North-East teams a parallel competition.

Matches are typically played across neutral venues within a zonal cluster to keep travel manageable. Expect red-soil pitches with some seam movement in the morning sessions and meaningful spin from the third day.

Key storylines and players to track

The big storyline every year is who jumps to Ranji mid-season and who earns an India A call-up after the tournament. Watch for openers who can occupy the crease for long periods against the moving ball. Watch for left-arm spinners, a profile India has been short on. Watch for wicketkeepers who can bat at 5 or 6, another slot where India keeps rotating.

The other storyline is the returning player. Batters who have been dropped from their senior Ranji side often come back through CK Nayudu and use the tournament as a statement. It is a harder grind than most assume because the U23 fields are young and hungry, and a senior player who looks rusty gets exposed quickly.

How fans and analysts should follow the tournament

Live-streaming for CK Nayudu is limited but scorecards are published on the BCCI domestic portal. Follow the cumulative stats table, because that is what the selectors look at. A single 150 matters less than three 70s and a 130 across the group stage. Track the bowling strike rates too: a bowler with a strike rate under 45 across first-class overs will be in the A team conversation fast.

FAQ

Q: Is the CK Nayudu Trophy a first-class tournament? A: Yes. It is the official BCCI U23 first-class tournament and runs and wickets count towards a player's career first-class record.

Q: Who won the CK Nayudu Trophy last edition? A: Recent champions have included Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh, with the final typically decided on first-innings lead if scores are tied.

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