The invitational competition, named Buchi Babu Tournament, began as a memorial event in 1909/10. For many years, it has served as a great chance for the players to feature in the game ahead of the domestic season 2024-25. In 2023, it returned after a six-year gap. On the opening day of the event, several national players participated in the competition.

Sarfaraz Khan, the middle-order batter of the Indian side, was ignored from the selection of the BGT 2024-25 and the five-match Test series in England last month despite his 150 in Bengaluru against New Zealand in the second innings of the opening game.

See Also: "Doesn't happen by..."- Former India star shares suggestion for Shubman Gill ahead of Asia Cup 2025

All three three-day games are scheduled to be played from August 18 to 20.  TNCA President’s XI took on HPCA at the Goja College A Ground while TNCA XI faced Mumbai at the nearly ground. Chhattisgarh locked horns with Maharashtra in Gurunanak College, while Jammu and Kashmir met Indian Railways. Odisha came against Baroda in CPT IP while AM Jain College hosted the game between Hayana and Bengal.

Buchi Babu Trophy 2025 Round 1: All scores from Day 1

Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was ruled out after the first two weeks of the IPL, has returned to the action and picked up a wicket with his rare off-spin bowling. Agitesh G smacked an unbeaten knock of 71 runs in 89 balls for TNCA President’s XI as they recovered to 256/9 from 185/8. Prabhsimran Singh celebrated a fifty.

Haryana’s number nine batter, Ajay Singh, drilled a fine fifty in just 28 balls to shoulder them to 415/9. Madhya Pradesh’s teenager, Rohit Rajawat, the 19-year-old off-spinner, finished with 5/49 against Jharkhand, who were bowled out for just 176. Shubman Gill’s U-19 batchmate, Himanshu Rana, recorded a fine century. Mumbai’s two openers, captain Ayush Mhatre and Musheer Khan, couldn’t contribute much.

Buchi Babu Trophy 2025 Round 1: All scores from Day 1 stumps

TNCA President's XI 256-9 vs Himachal Pradesh

Mumbai 376-5 vs TNCA XI

Chhattisgarh 252 all out vs Maharashtra

J&K 393-5 vs Railways

Baroda 381-6 vs Odisha

Haryana 415-9 vs Bengal

Punjab 187-4 vs Hyderabad

Jharkhand 176 vs MP 60-0

The prestigious Buchi Babu Invitational cricket tournament 2025 began today with Maharashtra facing Chhattisgarh in one of the opening fixtures. The match saw Ruturaj Gaikwad and Prithvi Shaw playing together for the first time since Shaw’s switch to Maharashtra, and both made solid contributions on day one. Gaikwad later showcased his part-time bowling skills, while Shaw impressed in the field with three sharp catches. Their presence added significant strength to Maharashtra’s lineup, setting the tone for an engaging start to the competition.

Maharashtra’s bowlers enjoyed a productive outing, with Hitesh Walunj and Vicky Ostwal leading the attack. Both claimed three wickets each to dismantle Chhattisgarh’s batting order. Despite these breakthroughs, Maharashtra struggled to dismiss the final pair, as Shashank Tiwari and Sourabh Majumdar stood firm at the crease. Their gritty partnership frustrated the opposition for nearly four overs, resisting the relentless efforts of the Maharashtra bowlers and delaying the inevitable end to the innings.

Finally, Maharashtra captain Ankeet Bawne introduced Ruturaj Gaikwad into the bowling attack for the final over of the day. Although Gaikwad conceded a six early in the over, he responded immediately with a clever caught-and-bowled dismissal of Majumdar. That crucial wicket not only broke the stubborn partnership but also wrapped up Chhattisgarh’s innings at 252 runs in 89.3 overs. Gaikwad’s timely strike gave Maharashtra momentum heading into the next day, ensuring they ended on a positive note after a long day in the field.

See Also: Jasprit Bumrah to be rested for Asia Cup 2025? Former India captain sparks debate

Watch the video here:

Ruturaj came to bowl last (90th) over of the day, got hit for Six and then took the last (10th) wicket by caught and bowled ! 😂🔥 pic.twitter.com/QvGOw5CZQh

— Max Unwell (@thalaterritory) August 18, 2025

Maharashtra dismissed Chattisgarh for 252

Sarfaraz Khan smashed a fine knock of 150 during the three-match home Test series against New Zealand in the second innings at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Despite that incredible performance, he was omitted from the national side for the following five-match Test series of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25.

Sarfaraz played a couple of India A games against the England Lions just before the start of the recently concluded five-match red-ball series against England. Even after celebrating a century in that encounter, he was ignored by the selection committee, which came as a huge surprise. Now, he has again knocked on the door during the Buchi Babu event before the beginning of the domestic season.

See Also: Jasprit Bumrah to be rested for Asia Cup 2025? Former India captain sparks debate

The right-handed batter slammed a fine century on the opening day of the competition against Mumbai in the clash against TNCA XI. He made his bat talk again, recording a 92-ball century after coming out to bat in the toughest situation. Mumbai found themselves 98/3 when Sarfaraz walked into the middle with the bat.

Sarfaraz Khan celebrates century to send roaring message during Buchi Babu Trophy 2025

Sarfaraz took the opposition bowlers from the word go and kept going with the same rhythm and attacking mindset. From coming out to bat in the 33rd over of the innings, Khan was able to notch up the ton in the next 31 overs. He made the headlines a few days ago after losing 17 kgs in the last two months.

Sarfaraz Khan has currently smacked 371 runs in 11 innings at an average of 37.10 and a strike rate of nearly 75, scoring three half-centuries and one century at the best score of 150. In the first-class format, the 27-year-old has clubbed 4685 runs in 83 innings at an average of 66 and a strike rate of more than 71, registering 15 half-centuries and 16 centuries at the best score of unbeaten 301 runs.

His fitness contributed immensely to adding more runs in the tally through singles, even after getting 100 in the ongoing Buchi Babu Trophy. Mumbai’s captain, Ayush Mhatre, and Musheer Khan failed to make an impact. The duo got 13 and 30 runs respectively, while the number three batter, Suved Parker, scored a decent 72 runs.

The Buchi Babu tournament is an invitational tournament which began in 1909-10. The competition serves as the preparation for players just before the start of the domestic season. After being paused for six years, the tournament returned in 2023, where Hyderabad emerged victorious beating Chattisgarh in the final.

This time around, the tournament will be played across three days. The tournament which will span from August 18-20, will see 16 teams tussling for an upper hand. The schedule of the same was unveiled and the competition will see several renowned name in the cricketing circuit gracing the field.

See Also: The Hundred 2025, Match 18: Birmingham Phoenix vs London Spirit full match highlights and scorecard

Buchi Babu Tournament 2025 schedule

TNCA President’s XI vs HPCA, Gojan College A Ground

TNCA XI vs Mumbai, Gojan College B Ground

Chhattisgarh vs Maharashtra, Gurunanak College

Jammu & Kashmir vs Indian Railways, MRF-Pachiyappa’s

Odisha vs Baroda, CPT IP

Haryana vs Bengal, AM Jain College

MPCA vs Jharkhand, SRM College

Hyderabad vs Punjab, Murugappa Ground

Another big blow before the Buchi Babu Tournament 2025, scheduled to start on August 18 and conclude on September 9 in Chennai. Before that, one of the captains of the teams had been ruled out from the competition.

Due to injury reasons, Sai Kishore will not be able to take part in the prestigious tournament. Pradosh Ranjan Paul is named to take over the reins. Notably, another big name, Sai Sudharsan, also will not be participating in the Buchi Babu Tournament this year. Before the tournament begins, there are multiple changes underway in both of the squads.

Sai Kishore's absence can be a major setback for TNCA President’s XI and for the tournament also, as the spinner made his mark brilliantly while playing for Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2025. In 15 matches for Gujarat Titans, the left-arm orthodox took 19 wickets at an average of 20.68, including his best figure of the season, 3/30. Kishore has been playing for Gujarat since IPL 2022. In his 3 IPL seasons and 25 matches, he claimed 32 scalps in total. According to the actual Buchi Babu squads, Sai was assigned to lead the TNCA president's XI, and as he will not be available for the matches, Paul will captain the side. 

Read More: The Hundred 2025 Live streaming details: Where and how to watch Northern Superchargers vs Birmingham Phoenix match 14

Buchi Babu squads:

TNCA President’s XI: Pradosh Ranjan Paul (Capt.), C. Andre Siddarth C (Vice-capt.), B. Indrajith, Vijay Shankar, R. Vimal Khumar, S. Radhakrishnan, S. Lokeshwar, G. Ajitesh, J. Hemchudeshan, R.S. Ambrish, C.V. Achyuth, H. Trilok Nag, P. Saravana Kumar, P. Vidyuth, and K. Abhinav.

TNCA XI: M. Shahrukh Khan (Capt.), Boopathi Vaishna Kumar (Vice-capt.), B. Sachin, M. Siddharth, Tushar Raheja, Kiran Karthikeyan, S. Mohamed Ali, S. Rithik Easwaran, S.R. Athish, S. Lakshay Jain, D.T. Chandrasekar, P. Vignesh, R. Sonu Yadav, D. Deepesh, J. Prem Kumar, A. Esakkimuthu, and T.D. Lokesh Raj.