Archive · 6 Sep 2026
Kishan, Varma Face Afghanistan T20 Challenge After Duleep Final
Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma will lead East Zone and South Zone in the Duleep Trophy final.
The match begins in Chennai on September 6.
After the final, both players are expected to join India’s T20I team.
India will play three T20 matches against Afghanistan.
Those matches start in Delhi on September 13.
A five-day cricket match requires a different style from a short T20 match.
Kishan said players must quickly change their approach and cannot make excuses.
Varma also said the change will be slightly challenging.
The players expect to use a two-day break to practise, recover and prepare their bodies.
East Zone captain Ishan Kishan and South Zone captain Tilak Varma will face each other in the Duleep Trophy final in Chennai on September 6.
The final is expected to run for five days, potentially leaving the players two days to prepare for the Afghanistan T20Is.
India’s three-match T20I series against Afghanistan begins in Delhi on September 13.
Kishan said switching from Test-style cricket to attacking from the first ball in T20s is difficult, but professionals cannot make excuses.
Varma said the transition will be slightly challenging, although experience across conditions, formats and back-to-back games should help.
- Who
- Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, East Zone, South Zone, India and Afghanistan.
- What
- East Zone and South Zone will play the Duleep Trophy final before Kishan and Varma join India’s squad for a three-match T20I series against Afghanistan.
- When
- The final starts on September 6, and the Afghanistan T20I series begins on September 13; the final is expected to end on September 10 if it lasts five days.
- Where
- The Duleep Trophy final will be played in Chennai, and the players will prepare for the T20Is in Delhi.
- Why
- They must rapidly shift from five-day cricket to T20 cricket, which requires different roles, mindsets and physical preparation.
- Duleep Trophy final
- East Zone versus South Zone
- Captains
- Ishan Kishan for East Zone and Tilak Varma for South Zone
- Final venue
- Chennai
- Afghanistan series
- Three T20Is beginning September 13 in Delhi
- Preparation window
- Two days for practice, recovery and body management
- Format challenge
- Moving from five-day cricket to T20 cricket shortly afterward
- Additional India squad member
- East Zone opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is also expected to be in the T20I squad
Sources
Duleep Trophy final: Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma face Afghanistan T20I challenge in Delhi - Telegraph India
'Switching formats is tough but no excuses': Kishan, Tilak ready for AFG T20Is days after Duleep Trophy final
