Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Tilak Varma Relishes Chepauk Return Ahead of Duleep Trophy Final
Tilak Varma is the captain of South Zone in the Duleep Trophy final.
His team will play East Zone at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Tilak says the stadium is special because he has many good memories there.
He also likes how warmly the Chennai crowd supports him.
He remembered playing a quick innings against Zimbabwe at this ground.
He said that match helped restore his confidence.
The teams did not have fans watching their previous match in Bengaluru.
Tilak is excited to play the final in front of a large crowd.
South Zone captain Tilak Varma said playing at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium feels special.
Varma praised the Chennai crowd for supporting him while representing Mumbai Indians and India.
He recalled scoring 44 runs from 16 balls against Zimbabwe at Chepauk in the 2026 T20 World Cup.
South Zone will face East Zone in the Duleep Trophy final from Sunday.
East Zone seek their first title since 2012-13, while South Zone have won 12 championships.
- Who
- South Zone, led by captain Tilak Varma, will play East Zone.
- What
- The teams will contest the Duleep Trophy final.
- When
- The final begins on Sunday.
- Where
- The match will be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
- Why
- Both teams are competing for the Duleep Trophy title, while Varma is especially motivated by playing before Chennai supporters.
- Final matchup
- South Zone vs East Zone
- Venue
- MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
- South Zone captain
- Tilak Varma
- South Zone titles
- 12 Duleep Trophy titles
- South Zone’s latest title
- 2023
- East Zone’s latest title
- 2012-13
- Previous match setting
- The teams played without fans at the BCCI Centre of Excellence ground in Bengaluru