Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ishan Kishan Applaud Tilak Varma After Heartbreaking Dismissal on 99 in Duleep Trophy Final 2026
Tilak Varma's heroic effort for South Zone ended in heartbreak as he was dismissed for 99 runs in the Duleep Trophy 2026 Final against East Zone. His valiant knock saw South Zone all out for 336, trailing East Zone's 708 by 372 runs at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Day 4, September 9, 2026.
Chennai witnessed a moment of both brilliance and heartbreak on Wednesday as South Zone's Tilak Varma fell just one run short of a deserving century in the Duleep Trophy 2026 Final against East Zone. His dismissal for 99 brought an end to South Zone's first innings at 336, trailing East Zone's formidable 708 by a massive 372 runs at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ishan Kishan Applaud Tilak Varma
South Zone are 336 all out. East Zone take a lead of 372 runs in the first innings!
Kounain Quraishi takes the final wicket as Captain Tilak Varma misses out on his century by one run.
The South Zone captain is being appreciated by the East Zone players as he walks off 👏… pic.twitter.com/IizgxUK8K4
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) September 9, 2026
Tilak Varma's Valiant Knock Cut Short
Resuming on Day 4, South Zone battled hard, with Tilak Varma leading the charge. The southpaw showcased immense resilience and skill, fighting tirelessly to keep his team in the contest. He found a crucial partner in CV Milind, with the duo adding 78 valuable runs for the seventh wicket. Milind's dismissal for 43, however, opened up one end, allowing East Zone's bowlers to run through the tail. Varma, looking poised for a hundred, ultimately became the final wicket to fall, caught and bowled by Md Kounain Quraishi for 99 off 211 deliveries, an innings decorated with nine boundaries. After his dismissal for 99, South Zone captain Tilak Varma received a round of applause from players of both sides as he walked off. East Zone captain Ishan Kishan, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and other players applauded his gritty knock.
East Zone's Dominance with the Ball
East Zone's bowlers maintained relentless pressure throughout the morning session. Mukesh Kumar was the pick of the bowlers, bagging three wickets, including the crucial dismissal of Mohammed Siraj for 1 run. Md Kounain Quraishi, who claimed the final wicket of Varma, finished with two wickets for 99 runs. Three other East Zone bowlers also picked up two wickets each, highlighting a strong collective performance that ultimately dismantled the South Zone batting line-up. East Zone completed the job within one full session, securing a substantial first innings lead.
Match Situation at Lunch
At the lunch break on Day 4, East Zone held a dominant position, having secured a colossal first innings lead of 372 runs. South Zone were bowled out for 336 in 107.3 overs. East Zone, who won the toss and elected to bat first, had earlier posted a formidable total of 708. While the follow-on option remains, discussions between Ishan Kishan and the umpires suggest East Zone is likely to bat again, aiming to extend their advantage further rather than enforce the follow-on. The Duleep Trophy 2026 Final, which commenced on Sunday, September 6, is now firmly in East Zone's control.
The Duleep Trophy 2026 Final continues to unfold, with East Zone in a commanding position after securing a significant first innings lead. Cricket fans eagerly await the next session to see East Zone's strategy and South Zone's response.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 09, 2026 12:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
