Built on the memoir of a cricket fan and philanthropist, Butchi Babu Naidu, the tournament started a year of his death. Once featuring international talents like Sunil Gavaskar, it is still considered one of the premium red-ball tournaments in India. Before the advent of the Ranji Trophy (1934), Buchi Babu was India's biggest first-class league. However, after the Tamil Nadu cricket Association came in power, the tournament became invitational in the 1960s. Despite that, the tournament still holds a significant place in India's present cricket scenario. In a recent interaction with Indian Express, Bengal Head Coach Lakshmiratan Shukla feels that the tournament provdes theperfect platform for his players to keep running before the Ranji Trophy kicks in. Notably, the ranji Trophy will be starting in mid-October, while the Duleep Trophy will commence in late August and will continue till September 11. Many players will be committed for the zonal matches and won't able to take part in the preparatory camps for the Ranji Trophy. In such a scenario, Buchi Babu tournament looks like an ideal way to get into the red-ball groove after the off-season break Not only that, Bengal is currently experiencing recurring rain. And their practice has been coerced mainly with plastic or tennis balls indoors with cement pitches. Bengal who had withdrawn their name from the tournament to focus on Ranji Trophy Practice, have got their name enlisted this season. Shukla said, "We have been training mostly indoors and on cement pitches with tennis and plastic balls. But that is definitely not enough. It is just one part of preparation. Playing Ranji Trophy will test you in different ways and if we are not prepared, we will find it challenging on the field. We want to expose our players to the pitches in Chennai and get some much-needed practice." Read also: Ayush Mhatre to Lead Mumbai in Buchi Babu Tournament Buchi Babu tournament's revamp after 6 years The Buchi Babu tournament is primarily hosted by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association. However, excusing the fact that it's impossible for them to conduct two red-ball tournaments at the same time, they withdrew it. In 2017, the tournament stopped letting TNCA open a window for the Tamil Nadu Premier League. However, several requests came to resume the tournament. Last year there were 12 teams, and in 2025, TNCA will be accommodating 16 teams. In the relaunching event TNCA Secretary RI Palani said, “Last year, when we had 12 teams, we still had many others showing interest to participate. It was tough to say no to them because we were hosting the tournament in districts (Coimbatore, Salem, Dindigul and Tirunelveli) and didn’t have grounds to accommodate everyone. This year too, we have had so many requests that to accommodate one more team, we dropped the idea of fielding a third team from TNCA. With 16 teams in fray, we had to choose Chennai as the host venue even though the MA Chidambaram Stadium is unavailable." Well, the prize money isn't as catchy as leagues or other tournaments: Rs 3 lakh to the winners and Rs 2 lakh for the runners-up. Yet it is as prestigious and fruitful for the teams to participate. Read also: Atherton favors 2005 Ashes over Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy J&K coach narrates importance Mithun Manhas, former Delhi captain and head of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association’s core group, says sending the state team to the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament was a strategic decision. Last season, playing on red-soil pitches helped J&K beat Mumbai in the Ranji league stages, showing the value of exposure to varied playing conditions. Manhas, speaking to Indian Express exclaimed, “Ahead of the Ranji Trophy, where else will the players get adequate preparation?” Manhas emphasizes, “Psychologically, you need to get ready for red-ball (cricket) or you will be found wanting.” He believes match-time in competitive tournaments is crucial because practice alone cannot replicate real-game scenarios. Participation in events like Buchi Babu allows players to experience different conditions and face quality teams, which mirrors the challenges of the Ranji Trophy. Highlighting a lack of red-ball tournaments, he appreciates the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association’s support and guidance. Looking ahead, JKCA is “exploring the possibility of having a similar tournament in the next two or three years,” aiming to provide their players with consistent opportunities to adapt, learn, and strengthen their skills for domestic competitions. Format and teams of Buchi Babu tournament, 2025 The All India Buchi Babu Invitational Cricket Tournament 2025, hosted by TNCA from August 18 to September 9, features 16 teams, including TNCA’s President’s XI and TNCA XI. Teams are divided into four groups of four, playing each other once in three-day league matches with 90-over first innings and 45-over second innings. Group winners advance to four-day semifinals and final. Matches will be held across Chennai, and will be live streamed on TNCA's official YouTube channel. Teams in the 2025 edition: 16 TNCA President’s XI, Himachal, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Indian Railways, Jammu & Kashmir, Odisha, Baroda, TNCA XI, Mumbai, Haryana, Bengal, Hyderabad, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand.