South Zone captain Tilak Varma and East Zone opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi were involved in a tense exchange during the Duleep Trophy 2026 final at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday, September 6. What initially appeared to be light-hearted banter soon became more heated, with Tilak seemingly trying to unsettle the 15-year-old batter through repeated sledging.
Sooryavanshi, the East Zone vice-captain from Samastipur, Bihar, looked well placed to build a big innings after attacking the South Zone bowlers from the outset. However, his aggressive approach once again proved costly as he threw away his wicket for 44 in the first innings. The left-hander had struck the bowlers around the ground before his innings came to an end.
Tilak Varma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Involved in Heated Exchange During Duleep Trophy Final
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made an aggressive start for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy 2026 final, putting South Zone’s bowlers under pressure alongside Abhimanyu Easwaran. The 15-year-old took on experienced India pacer Mohammed Siraj early in his innings, smashing two fours and a six in one over and forcing Tilak Varma to take the bowler out of the attack. Sooryavanshi also made the most of South Zone’s defensive field, finding gaps regularly and clearing the infield with ease.
🔴POOR BEHAVIOUR BY TILAK VERMA AGAINST VAIBHAV SURYAVANSHI🤦
Tilak Varma has not done well as a captain in the first two hours of game in Duleep Trophy final.
– Vaibhav & Abhimanyu Easwaran exposed his captaincy.
– frustrated & lost Tilak Varma trying to break partnership by… pic.twitter.com/u8vDgfrFHA
— Sam (@cricsam02) September 6, 2026
As Sooryavanshi moved towards a potential century, Tilak attempted to unsettle the youngster with some on-field banter. During the 11th over, the South Zone captain was caught on the stump microphone saying, “What is this vice-captain.” The exchange initially appeared to be light-hearted, with both players later seen laughing and chatting, but the situation briefly became more intense when Tilak walked towards Sooryavanshi and made a gesture that appeared to resemble a punch. The teenage batter immediately reacted, while the umpires stepped in to prevent the situation from escalating.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Aggressive Knock Ends on 44 Against South Zone
Sooryavanshi eventually fell for 44 from 37 deliveries, having struck five fours and a six. After slowing down and struggling to rotate the strike, he attempted an attacking shot against Chama V Milind, but extra bounce caused the ball to take the splice of his bat. Substitute fielder Tanay Thyagarajan ran across from deep square leg and completed an impressive catch, ending Sooryavanshi’s innings after he and Easwaran had put together a 100-run opening stand. Easwaran had already reached his half-century before his younger partner.
Sooryavanshi will now turn his attention to national duty, with India set to face Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series beginning September 13 in Delhi. His dismissal also marked another near-miss after he was out for 92 in the semi-final against Central Zone. In the final, East Zone captain Ishan Kishan won the toss and chose to bat, with his side making one change and South Zone making four, including the returns of Devdutt Padikkal and Mohammed Siraj.
