“We have two days’ break”

Team India batter Tilak Varma opened up about wanting to play the Duleep Trophy 2026 final and the T20I series against Afghanistan despite the quick turnaround between the two events. The 23-year-old is captaining South Zone in the prestigious domestic tournament, with the side set to play in the summit clash against East Zone from September 6 to 10.

However, two days later, Team India will start their three-match T20I series against Afghanistan on September 13. Tilak is currently the vice-captain of India’s T20I side.

While balancing the two will be challenging, Tilak insisted on playing the Duleep Trophy final and the opening Afghanistan T20I, saying (via Revsportz):

“I want to play the final. But I don’t know; this match has finally finished. I think the Afghanistan game is on the 13th, so I am ready to play the final. Between the final and the first game, we have two days’ break. So, if I report on the 11th, practice on the 12th, and, from there, I can go to the match. That’s how I feel. But, again, it goes to the selectors and team management. We will have a chat.”

Tilak aside, Ishan Kishan and Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who are part of the East Zone side, also face a similar conundrum. The duo is part of the Indian squad for the Afghanistan T20Is and the Duleep Trophy final.

Tilak Varma starred in South Zone’s emphatic Duleep Trophy 2026 semifinal victory

Tilak Varma led from the front with the bat in South Zone’s Duleep Trophy 2026 semifinal victory over the North Zone. On a challenging wicket in Bengaluru, North Zone managed only 195 in their first innings.

In response, South Zone amassed 312, thanks to a brilliant 116* off 250 deliveries by Tilak. North Zone produced a better showing in their second innings, scoring 297 and setting South Zone a target of 181.

However, the skipper once again delivered the goods, scoring an unbeaten 51 off 79 deliveries and leading South Zone to a seven-wicket win.

Having finished as runners-up in the previous edition of the Duleep Trophy, South Zone will look to take the final step in the upcoming grand finale to clinch their 14th title.