Senior Women Inter Zonal Multi-Day Trophy (India) 2023/24

The **Senior Women’s Inter Zonal Multi-Day Trophy** stands as the only first-class domestic cricket competition for women in India. Organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), it serves as a vital development platform for Test cricket temperament. The tournament was inaugurated in the 2014–15 season and ran for four consecutive editions before being discontinued. It was revived in the 2023–24 season following a five-to-six-year hiatus.

The competition features six fixed zonal teams: Central Zone, East Zone, North Zone, North East Zone, South Zone, and West Zone. These teams are composed of players selected from state associations within their respective geographical regions. There is no promotion or relegation system; the zonal entities are permanent fixtures in this specific tournament structure. In the inaugural editions (2014–15 to 2017–18), the format varied from two-day to three-day matches, often utilizing a league stage with points awarded for first-innings leads. Central Zone was the dominant force in this era, winning the first three titles. North Zone won the final 2017–18 edition.

The revived 2023–24 edition adopted a single-elimination knockout format consisting of quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final, with matches lasting three days. In case of a draw, the team leading on the first innings advances. East Zone won the 2023–24 title by defeating South Zone in the final. Historically, Central Zone remains the most successful team with three titles.

The tournament is distinct from other senior domestic competitions in India based on team composition and selection hierarchy. Unlike the Senior Women's One Day Trophy, which features state-level teams (e.g., Railways, Mumbai, Karnataka) and serves as the premier List-A competition, the Inter Zonal Multi-Day Trophy uses zonal aggregates. It is also distinct from the Senior Women's T20 Challenge (formerly Challenger Trophy), which features national color-coded teams (e.g., India A, B, C) selected directly by the All-India Women's Selection Committee for final assessment. The Inter Zonal Multi-Day Trophy sits as a bridge between state cricket and national selection, focusing specifically on developing the skills required for the longest format of the game.