Duleep Trophy Final to Afghanistan T20Is: Kishan, Tilak Varma Admit Short Turnaround Will Be Challenging

Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma have acknowledged that the short turnaround between the Duleep Trophy final and India’s upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan will be “slightly challenging,” but both players remain confident about adapting quickly to the demands of white-ball cricket.

The Duleep Trophy final between East Zone and South Zone begins on Sunday at Chennai’s Chepauk, with Kishan leading East Zone and Tilak Varma captaining South Zone. Following the five-day domestic fixture, the players will travel to Delhi for the Afghanistan T20I series.

East Zone vice-captain Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will also face a tight schedule, with only three days between the Duleep Trophy final and the T20I series.

Kishan said switching between formats can be demanding, particularly when players have to move from the mindset required for a long-format game to the aggressive approach needed in T20 cricket.

“It is just about knowing what format you are playing,” Kishan said ahead of the Duleep Trophy final. “Sometimes it gets difficult when you are playing a Test match and suddenly you have to go and start hitting from ball one and then go back to your domestic team and play a completely different role.”

However, the wicketkeeper-batter stressed that adapting to changing formats is part of a professional cricketer’s responsibility.

“As professionals, it is our job to adapt. We cannot be coming up with excuses after knowing this is our routine for the next few days,” he said.

Kishan also pointed out that the players will have two days of practice before the opening Afghanistan T20I, which he believes should be sufficient to make the transition.

“I will be playing T20 after this, so my job will be different in T20Is. But we are getting two days of practice before the first Afghanistan game, so it will be more than enough,” he added.

Tilak Varma echoed Kishan’s assessment, saying the demanding schedule would test the players but that their experience of playing across formats and conditions should help them adjust.

“We have played enough domestic games and in every condition, so we can adjust to the conditions,” Tilak said. “But it will be slightly challenging playing five days here and again joining the T20I team.”

The all-round batter added that the break between the Duleep final and the first T20I would give the players an opportunity to recover and prepare mentally and physically.

“We are going to Delhi, there will be two days of break, so we can practise there and we have enough time as well. We know how to change our mindsets and maintain our bodies with good fluids and everything,” he said.

Tilak, who has featured across formats in recent months, believes that experience will be useful in handling the transition.

“We have played back-to-back games before in domestic cricket as well as international cricket, so we are quite used to it,” he said.

Kishan praises Shami's hunger ahead of 100th first-class game

Meanwhile, Kishan has praised Mohammed Shami’s intensity and determination as the veteran fast bowler prepares to play his 100th first-class match in the Duleep Trophy final.

Shami, who last represented India in the 2025 Champions Trophy, has continued to feature in domestic cricket despite currently not being considered fit enough for Test cricket.

Kishan believes Shami’s age is irrelevant as long as the fast bowler continues to maintain his hunger and work ethic.

“I feel age is just a number. If he is working hard, it doesn’t matter. He has been doing so well,” Kishan said.

The East Zone captain also highlighted the confidence Shami brings to the team, particularly with his ability to produce important wickets.

“Having him in our team gives us a bit more confidence. When you have such bowlers in your team who can get you wickets, it makes a difference. Especially looking at Shami bhai this season, his intensity and energy have been very different,” he said.

Kishan pointed to Shami’s motivation despite being away from regular international cricket. The fast bowler was a key performer during India’s 2023 ODI World Cup campaign, but has since faced periods away from the national side.

“It has been three years since that 2023 World Cup when he was in excellent form. It is hard when you are not regularly playing for the Indian team and to again have that same kind of motivation for domestic games,” Kishan said.

“But I see that hunger in him. He wants to make that comeback and wants to be part of the Indian squad again.”

Kishan also revealed that Shami has been actively involved in helping him with captaincy during the Duleep Trophy campaign.

“You can see it in him. When he is trying to help me while I’m leading the side, he comes to me and gives me options about what we can do right now,” Kishan said.

For Kishan, Shami’s attitude is a reflection of his determination to return to the highest level, with his 100th first-class appearance offering another opportunity to demonstrate his enduring quality.