Vaibhav Sooryavanshi_Tilak Varma- (Source: X)
On Sunday, September 6, South Zone and East Zone will lock horns for the Duleep Trophy 2026 final. Eyes will be on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Tilak Varma, who delivered impressive performances in the semi-finals.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi slammed 92 in the 1st innings against Central Zone that helped the Ishan Kishan-led side register a four-wicket win. On the other hand, Tilak Varma played a valuable 116-run knock in the 1st innings and slammed a fifty in the next against North Zone to qualify for the final.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Tilak Varma not in India’s Test plan
Ahead of the crucial match, the Indian duo have dealt a massive setback because a report from PTI stated that neither Vaibhav Sooryavanshi nor Tilak Varma are in India’s Test plan in the near future.
The report mentioned that the selectors are looking for consistency for selection in the red-ball format, and both stars have to impress more on that front. Talking about the 15-year-old wonderkid, who has already made his India debut, he has very little experience when it comes to red-ball cricket.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Asked To Gain More Experience
The 15-year-old has played only ten First-Class games and a few Under-19 red-ball matches. In the 10 First-Class appearances, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is still hunting his maiden century. He has 347 runs in 15 innings, averaging just 23.33. The youngster does have two fifties to his name.
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Sooryavanshi has proved his mettle in T20Is through the IPL and has deservingly earned the India cap. However, he needs to up that first-class average beyond 45 to be considered for a place in the Test set-up. Further, he opens the innings, and India currently have a settled opening pair in KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Further, for Test cricket, the selectors would want Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to work on his fitness as well.
Tilak Varma More Likely To Earn India Test Call-up Than Sooryavanshi
Though the report mention that both Tilak Varma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi are not in India’s Test plan, but realistically Tilak has better chances than the 15-year-old to be part of India’s Test team in the coming years.
Tilak has played 24 First-Class matches and in 37 innings, he has amassed 1729 runs, averaging 55.75. He has 8 centuries and six fifties to his name. So, at this point, the MI star has not done anything wrong to not be considered for a red-ball place in the Indian team.
In the recently concluded match between North Zone and South Zone, the Tilak Varma-led side were reduced to 80/5. However, Tilak stitched a crucial stand with Shreyas Gopal and slammed a century, showing maturity when required.
If Tilak goes onto win the Duleep Trophy and perform with the bat as well, then there will certainly be chatters around his place in the Test team.
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