South Zone captain Tilak Varma fell agonizingly short of a well-deserved century in the ongoing Duleep Trophy 2026 final against East Zone. This game is being played at the M Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

East Zone batted first after winning the toss and posted 708 runs, thanks to 270 runs by Ishan Kishan and 101 by Kumar Kushagra, while Abhimanyu Easwaran and Shikhar Mohan scored half-centuries. Tripurana Vijay picked four wickets, while Chama Milind and Shreyas Gopal took two wickets apiece.

In response, Devdutt Padikkal made 62, with contributions from Shaik Rasheed (27), Chama Milind (43) and Shreyas Gopal (26). Tilak Varma, the captain, stood like a rock for South Zone as they accumulated runs steadily.  

He showed great resilience during his 211-ball knock, adding 78 runs for the seventh wicket with Milind. However, he was batting with the tail and decided to take on the bowlers.

Tilak needed only one run to reach his century, as he tried to make room against a tossed-up delivery from Md Kounain Quraishi outside off. He played against the turn, and the bat turned on impact, sending the ball straight back to the bowler. Quraishi latched onto a quick return catch to remove Tilak for 99.

South Zone’s first innings folded at 336 runs on Day 4, and East Zone earned a massive lead of 372 runs. Tilak Varma was consoled by East Zone players, including captain Ishan Kishan, as he walked back dejectedly to the pavilion.