Tilak Varma's Cheeky One-Liner Rattles Vaibhav Sooryavanshi In Duleep Trophy Final

Tilak Varma took a cheeky dig at Sooryavanshi [Source: X]

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi may have made his mark in the T20 format, but slowly and steadily, the southpaw has started to show his brilliance in red-ball cricket as well. He was key to East Zone’s win in the Duleep Trophy 2026 semis, and in the final against South Zone, the youngster again showed his prowess.

On Day 1 of the Duleep Trophy final, Sooryavanshi’s East Zone batted first, and the 15-year-old player became a headache for Tilak Varma’s South Zone. The southpaw showed no mercy towards Mohammed Siraj as he took him to the cleaners and gave a perfect start to his side.

It needed a different tactic to dismiss Sooryavanshi in the first innings of the Duleep Trophy final, and Tilak Varma produced the moment as his cheeky dig towards the East Zone opener worked for his side.

Tilak sledges Sooryavanshi as East Zone opener loses the plot in Duleep Trophy final

The Duleep Trophy final at the MA Chidambaram Stadium started with a Sooryavanshi special as he played cautiously, and yet he scored at a brisk rate. He easily took down the South Zone bowling attack and scored a quickfire 44 off 37 balls.

Tilak Varma had a defensive field setup, and Sooryavanshi worked the field to perfection as he quickly raced into the 40s and was getting closer to a well-deserved fifty. South Zone needed a moment of magic, and it arrived, courtesy of Tilak.

The South Zone captain tried to get under his Indian teammate’s skin as he sledged the youngster and made the batter play a false shot. On the stump mic, Tilak was heard saying, “Kya yaar ye vice-captain (What is this vice-captain)?”

The cheeky plan worked for South Zone as Sooryavanshi went for an attempted pull-shot, and he was caught at deep mid-wicket by the fielder.

Sooryavanshi proves his red-ball prowess

Before the Duleep Trophy 2026, there were doubts regarding his ability to play the game’s longer format. Before the Duleep Trophy season started, the 15-year-old had struggled to adapt his game to red-ball cricket, but the perception certainly changed during the ongoing competition.

Also Read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Turns Mohammed Siraj's Duleep Trophy Return Into A Nightmare

He failed to deliver the goods in the quarterfinals, but the Samastipur-born player scored a blistering 92 off 81 balls in the first innings of the semifinals, and then scored a match-winning 40 in the second innings on a tricky wicket.

His knock ensured that East Zone set up a date with South Zone in the Duleep Trophy finals. He continued the momentum by registering 44 off 37 balls, as Sooryavanshi has certainly adapted to the game’s longer format.

Tilak-Sooryavanshi to play together in India's next T20I series

Tilak took a cheeky dig at Sooryavanshi, but it was all in good spirit. The duo will be seen together, representing India in the next T20I series against Afghanistan, which takes place on September 13.

Interestingly, for the three-match series against the touring Afghan side, Tilak will be the vice-captain, and he will be Shreyas Iyer’s deputy. This would also be Vaibhav’s maiden home assignment, as his T20I debut came in England, and it was followed by an away series against Zimbabwe.

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