Top run-getter Wasim Jaffer delighted with Duleep Trophy restoration

Ex-India batsman Wasim Jaffer

Wasim Jaffer, the highest run-getter in the Duleep Trophy with 2545 runs in 30 games, has welcomed the restoration of the prestigious tournament on the Indian cricket calendar.

The tournament that began in 1961-62, was reportedly removed from the BCCI schedule, but got its place back when the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) instructed the BCCI to schedule it. The tournament will be held from September 7 to 29 in Kanpur and Lucknow where teams - India Blue, India Red and India Green - will parade their skills with the pink ball in operation. "I welcome the news of its restoration. The Duleep Trophy provided a good incentive for players to display their skills against good opposition. It was like a stepping stone because you then looked to play the Irani Cup and then of course India," said Jaffer, 39, from Birmingham where he is playing for Moddershall and Oulton Cricket Club.

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Jaffer has played the tournament across various formats (even visiting teams have been part of the tournament) and his favourite Duleep Trophy memory is scoring a century for West Zone in his first Duleep game against South Zone in 1997-98. He also takes pride in the fact that he led West Zone to victory in two consecutive Duleep Trophy editions in 2008-09 and 2009-10. The former India player's special knock in the tournament is his 133 against VVS Laxman's South Zone at Baroda in 2005-06. Discarded India batsman Suresh Raina will lead India Blue. He hasn't figured in an ODI since October 2015 and a good showing here may gain him selection for next month's one-day series against Australia at home.

Opening batsman Murali Vijay, who is recovering from a wrist injury, will be part of Parthiv Patel-led India Green while Abhinav Mukund will captain India Red.