Tilak Varma confronts Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Tilak Varma appeared to have a few words for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi during the Duleep Trophy final on Sunday, with the South Zone captain walking straight up to the 15-year-old batter and speaking to him at close quarters. The experienced Bengal batter reached his half-century before the youngster and eventually went on to score 72. The youngster was dismissed for 44 by Chama V Milind as his attacking instincts got the better of him while he was approaching a potentially big score. Sooryavanshi was dismissed for 92 in that match, although his contribution helped Ishan Kishan-led East Zone progress to the final. East Zone are aiming to win their first Duleep Trophy since 2012-13, when they defeated Central Zone in the final to claim their second title.
At the other end, Abhimanyu Easwaran was matching Sooryavanshi shot for shot. Sooryavanshi looked set for another substantial score but once again failed to convert his start into a century. It was a familiar story for the teenager, who had also missed out on a century in the semi-final against Central Zone. Tilak entered the final after playing a starring role in South Zone’s semi-final against North Zone. His unbeaten century and an unbeaten half-century helped his team beat North Zone by seven wickets.