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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi played delightful shots against Siraj (Source: BCCI Domestic, X)
The Duleep Trophy 2026 final has started with plenty of action at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. South Zone are taking on East Zone in the five-day final.
After winning the toss, East Zone decided to bat first. While Mohammed Siraj was expected to lead the South Zone bowling attack, 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had other plans.
The young batter came out with confidence and attacked the experienced Indian pacer early in the innings.
Along with Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sooryavanshi helped East Zone dominate the opening phase. Both Mohammed Siraj and MD Nidheesh struggled to stop the flow of runs as the batters kept finding the boundaries.
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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Smashes Mohammed Siraj For 14 Runs In 1 Over
The big moment came in the sixth over when Vaibhav Sooryavanshi decided to take the attack straight to Siraj.
On the second ball of the over, Mohammed Siraj bowled a good-length delivery that angled across the left-hander outside off. Sooryavanshi waited for the ball and used the pace brilliantly, guiding it past backward point for four.
The very next delivery produced an even bigger shot. Siraj bowled fuller around off, and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi moved his front leg across before launching the ball straight down the ground.
He ended the over with another boundary, this time using his bottom hand to loft a fuller delivery on the stumps straight over the Mohammed Siraj's head.
Watch: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Beast Mode On!!!
Why This Is A Moral Setback For Mohammed Siraj?
It is important to note that Mohammed Siraj last played for India during recent tour of Sri Lanka in 2026. He took five wickets in five innings, including the warm-up game, while maintaining a modest strike rate of 62.00.
In Test cricket in 2026, Siraj has taken five wickets in three matches, with a strike rate of 68.40. Although his economy rate reads only 2.51, Siraj definitely needs wickets under his belt to regain his mojo before the New Zealand Tests.
Therefore, the Duleep Trophy final was a golden opportunity for Siraj to make an impact and get some momentum before India's next WTC assignment.
With his experience and reputation, it was expected that Siraj would keep the East Zone batters under the pump.
That is why Siraj's modest performance, powered primarily by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's exploits, in the Duleep Trophy final could be seen as a setback for his confidence and morale ahead of India's next Test series against New Zealand.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi led the charge for East Zone
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored 44 runs off 37 balls for the East Zone before Chama Milind dismissed him, giving South Zone their first wicket of the day.
Sooryavanshi was batting well and had formed a good partnership with Abhimanyu Easwaran, but he missed out on scoring a half-century. Easwaran has already scored 50 runs and is now batting with Shikhar Mohan.
At the time of writing, East Zone has lost one wicket and is trying to build another good partnership. South Zone's bowlers, led by Mohammed Siraj, must be looking for more wickets.
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