Duleep Trophy Final Live Score, East Zone vs South Zone Live Updates: Focus On Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

By Suresh

🏏 Duleep Trophy Final: East Zone vs South Zone at Chepauk 🏏 The curtain falls on the 2026 Duleep Trophy with East Square set to clash with South Zone at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. The final was moved from Bengaluru to Chepauk so fans could attend this marquee domestic fixture. **South Zone — Chasing Glory** A 14-time champions, South Zone last lifted the trophy in 2023. Led by skipper Tilak Varma (unbeaten ton + unbeaten fifty in the semifinal win over North Zone), they blend experience and youth: • Devdutt Padikkal arrives in sublime form — twin hundreds vs Sri Lanka in the recent Test series • Narayan Jagadeesan & Ricky Bhui bring solid FC pedigree • Smaran, the 2025-26 Ranji leading runscorer, heads into the final rich in runs • Shaik Rasheed — pure promise, ready to announce himself on the big stage On the bowling front, Mohammed Siraj joins the fold seeking to rediscover his rhythm, joined by MD Nidheesh (5-wk haul in the semifinal) and spin captain Shreyas Gopal. Vidwath Kaverappa picked up a niggle but should be fine. **East Zone — The Longer Road** Two-time winners (last title 2012), East Zone fought through QF → SF, beating NE Zone and Central Zone. • Captain Ishan Kishan brings attacking intent mid-order • Abhimanyu Easwaran offers solid grounding up top • ⭐ Focus on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi — the fearless teenager struck a quick 92 in the semifinal, showing he belongs on this stage • Kumar Kushagra, Virat Singh & Sudip Gharami add middle-order depth Their pace battery of Mohammad Shami (reverse swing wizardry) and Mukesh Kumar could exploit early movement, with Shahbaz Ahmed and Anukul Roy waiting in the spin trench. **What Chepauk Offers** Unknown territory — no red-ball game here since 2024. Early heat/humidity may bite, but expect the surface to wear toward spin. The side that adapts quickest likely takes the crown. Whose side are you on? 🤔 #DuleepTrophy #EastZone #SouthZone #Chepauk Source: NDTV Sports