East Zone made a commanding start to the 2026-27 Duleep Trophy final, reaching 385 for 4 at stumps against South Zone at Chepauk on the opening day. Thirteen years after their last Duleep Trophy triumph at the same venue, East Zone took a major step towards reclaiming the title as almost their entire batting line-up made significant contributions. Captain Ishan Kishan was the standout performer, remaining unbeaten on 111, while Kumar Kushagra was not out on 63. Earlier, Shikhar Mohan scored 85 and Abhimanyu Easwaran made 72. Kishan's century was particularly significant. The left-hander, who has previously faced questions over his commitment to red-ball cricket, responded in emphatic fashion by registering his 10th first-class century and crossing the milestone of 4,000 first-class runs. Easwaran leads the way at the top East Zone's opening partnership laid the foundation for a dominant day. Abhimanyu Easwaran, playing on his 31st birthday, produced one of his most assured red-ball innings in recent times. The Bengal opener combined classical strokeplay with strong back-foot play and repeatedly took on South Zone's pace attack. Easwaran reached his half-century in just 46 balls, outscoring the explosive Vaibhav Sooryavanshi during their century opening stand. Sooryavanshi began cautiously before gradually opening up. He entertained the Sunday crowd with a series of elegant drives through the off side and raced to 34 from 24 deliveries, including a sequence of 4, 6, 4 against Mohammed Siraj. However, the young batter's innings ended when he attempted to attack a short delivery from CV Milind, picking out deep midwicket. The dismissal slowed East Zone's scoring briefly and was followed by a costly mix-up between Easwaran and Shikhar Mohan. Easwaran pushed the ball towards point and initially responded to Mohan, but his partner turned back, leaving the opener stranded. Easwaran was run out for 72, narrowly missing what would have been his 28th first-class hundred. Mohan impresses on Duleep Trophy debut Mohan, brought into the XI in place of Virat Singh, made an immediate impact at No. 3. The Jharkhand batter displayed excellent balance and composure against South Zone's fast bowlers before taking control of the innings. He was particularly effective against offspinner T Vijay, using his footwork and range of strokes to keep the pressure on the bowling side. Mohan looked on course for his third first-class century when he chopped a delivery from left-arm seamer Milind onto his stumps for 85. His dismissal left East Zone at 241 for 4, briefly giving South Zone an opening. But the opportunity disappeared almost immediately. Kishan, Kushagra finish the day strongly Captain Kishan and Kumar Kushagra combined to put South Zone's bowlers under relentless pressure. The pair added an unbeaten 144 runs from only 26.4 overs, taking East Zone from 241 for 4 to 385 for 4 by the close. Kushagra became the fourth East Zone batter to pass fifty, finishing unbeaten on 63, with four fours and five sixes. Kishan, meanwhile, accelerated after reaching his half-century from 71 balls. He broke free by stepping down the track to launch Vijay over the boundary and quickly moved towards his century. His unbeaten 111 not only gave East Zone complete control but also served as a strong statement about his renewed commitment to first-class cricket. South Zone struggle with bowling and tactics It was a difficult day for South Zone, both tactically and with the ball. Only 79 overs were bowled during the day, with their slow over-rate adding to the pressure on the fielding side. Their tactical decisions also failed to contain East Zone's batters. South Zone captain Tilak Varma spread the field early, placing four fielders on the boundary within the first five overs to restrict Sooryavanshi's attacking strokeplay. Later, exchanges between Varma and Sooryavanshi became heated enough for the umpires to intervene. After tea, South Zone repeatedly opted for short-pitched bowling against Kishan and Kushagra. Rather than being unsettled, however, the East Zone batters took on the deliveries and continued collecting runs. Siraj endured the toughest outing of the South Zone attack. Far from his best rhythm and lacking his usual pace, he finished the day with 0 for 96 in 14 overs. With East Zone finishing the opening day at 385 for 4 and Kishan and Kushagra firmly established at the crease, South Zone face an uphill task on the second morning. East Zone, meanwhile, have positioned themselves perfectly to build a huge first-innings total and strengthen their bid for a first Duleep Trophy title in 13 years.

South Africa have been forced into two changes for the Namibia T20I tri-series final against Zimbabwe, with leading run-scorer Lhuan-dre Pretorius ruled out with a groin injury and fast bowler Andile Simelane sidelined by a side strain. The Proteas chose to bat first after winning the toss, looking to build on their impressive form in the competition. South Africa defeated Zimbabwe by 11 runs in their previous match after posting 228 for four, a result that secured Zimbabwe's place in the final while eliminating Namibia. South Africa have already beaten Zimbabwe twice in the series and will enter the final with plenty of confidence. Pretorius' absence is a significant setback for South Africa, with the batter currently the leading run-scorer in the series. Connor Esterhuizen will retain his place at the top of the order and will open alongside Jordan Hermann. Tony de Zorzi has also been brought into the middle order. Jason Smith, who was ruled out of the T20I series because of an adductor strain, has recovered and joined the squad in Namibia. However, he has not been selected for the final and is expected to be available for South Africa's three-match ODI series next week. Simelane's absence leaves South Africa with a reshaped pace attack. Nqobani Mokoena, Kwena Maphaka, Eathan Bosch and Duan Jansen will share the fast-bowling responsibilities, while Bjorn Fortuin will lead the side. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, have received a boost with Newman Nyamhuri recovering from a minor niggle and returning to the playing XI. The Zimbabweans have opted for a pace-heavy combination, with Brad Evans, Blessing Muzarabani and Kundai Matigimu joining Nyamhuri in the attack. Wellington Masakadza has been left out of the XI. Zimbabwe will be led by experienced all-rounder Sikandar Raza, with Brian Bennett and Ben Curran expected to provide an aggressive start at the top of the order. Innocent Kaia, Ryan Burl and Wessly Madhevere add further batting depth, while Tadiwanashe Marumani will take the gloves. South Africa XI Connor Esterhuizen (wk), Jordan Hermann, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Rubin Hermann, Eathan Bosch, Duan Jansen, Bjorn Fortuin (capt), Prenelan Subrayen, Nqobani Mokoena, Kwena Maphaka. Zimbabwe XI Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Innocent Kaia, Sikandar Raza (capt), Ryan Burl, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Brad Evans, Newman Nyamhuri, Blessing Muzarabani, Kundai Matigimu.

 Ireland won the toss and elected to bowl first against England in the third and final ODI of the series at Worcester, with the match marking Arlene Kelly’s final appearance in international cricket. England have already secured the three-match series 2-0 after convincing victories in the opening two games. The hosts made one change to their playing XI, resting fast bowler Issy Wong following her match-winning five-wicket haul in Derby. Lauren Filer came into the side as her replacement. Ireland made two changes after their six-wicket defeat in the second ODI on Thursday. Off-spinner Lara McBride was brought into the team in place of Georgina Dempsey, while Arlene Kelly returned to the XI for Jane Maguire. The match carries particular significance for Kelly, who announced her retirement from professional cricket at the age of 32 shortly before the start of play. The New Zealand-born allrounder made her international debut for Ireland against South Africa in June 2022. Since then, she has featured in 110 of Ireland Women's 117 international matches. Kelly has been one of Ireland's most consistent wicket-takers during her international career. Before her farewell match, she had taken 135 wickets across formats, placing her third on Ireland Women's all-time wicket-taking list behind Isobel Joyce and Laura Delany. Her best bowling figures came in a T20I against the Netherlands in 2023, when she claimed an impressive 5 for 12. Kelly has also contributed 601 runs with the bat at international level. Ireland captain Gaby Lewis will lead a side featuring Alice Tector, Amy Hunter, Orla Prendergast, Rebecca Stokell and Leah Paul, with Louise Little, Kelly, Cara Murray, McBride and Kia McCartney completing the XI. England's lineup includes Maia Bouchier, Sophia Dunkley, Jodie Grewcock, wicketkeeper Alice Capsey, Freya Kemp, Dani Gibson, captain Charlie Dean, Mady Villiers, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Filer and Tilly Corteen-Coleman. With England looking to complete a 3-0 series sweep, Ireland will hope to finish the series on a high and give Kelly a memorable send-off in her final international match.

R Sai Kishore produced a sensational five-wicket haul as Gloucestershire completed a remarkable 213-run victory over Derbyshire in the Rothesay County Championship Division Two at the Seat Unique Stadium. Chasing 319 for victory, Derbyshire collapsed to 105 all out inside 39 overs in the final session, with Sai Kishore claiming 5 for 20 from 18 overs. Gloucestershire's spinners dominated the final innings, taking all 10 Derbyshire wickets. Ed Middleton contributed 2 for 17, while Ollie Price finished with 3 for 59. Price's efforts gave him match figures of 9 for 104 as Gloucestershire secured a dramatic turnaround after being reduced to 37 for 5 on the opening day. Gloucestershire had earlier taken control of the contest by declaring on 359 for 5 in their second innings. Miles Hammond scored a composed 118, while James Bracey remained unbeaten on 104. The pair shared a huge fourth-wicket partnership of 165, rescuing Gloucestershire and putting them in a commanding position. Bracey's century was particularly significant. He became the first Gloucestershire player to score two hundreds in a first-class match since Alex Gidman achieved the feat in 2007. He also became the first Gloucestershire wicketkeeper to register twin centuries in a match since Harry Smith in 1919. Hammond reached his third first-class hundred of the season and eighth overall from 182 balls. Bracey followed him to three figures from 143 deliveries, hitting seven fours and two sixes before Gloucestershire declared. Derbyshire's fielding had offered Gloucestershire some crucial assistance earlier in the day. Shoaib Bashir dropped Bracey off his own bowling when the batter was on just five, while Matt Montgomery missed a return catch to give Hammond another life on 77. Those missed opportunities proved costly as Hammond and Bracey took full advantage, guiding Gloucestershire to 268 for 3 by lunch and effectively taking the match away from Derbyshire. With 319 required, Derbyshire's priority quickly shifted from chasing victory to survival. Gloucestershire opened with spin from both ends, surrounding the bat with close fielders, and Sai Kishore immediately made an impact. The India international struck twice in as many deliveries shortly after tea, trapping Harry Came lbw before bowling Montgomery to leave Derbyshire in serious trouble. Sai Kishore then removed Wayne Madsen, who was caught at second slip, reducing Derbyshire to 32 for 3. Mohammed Naeem followed soon after, falling lbw to Price as the visitors slipped to 41 for 6. The collapse continued when Aneurin Donald and Brooke Guest were both bowled by Sai Kishore within three deliveries. The left-arm spinner completed his five-wicket haul inside eight overs, leaving Derbyshire with little hope of resisting. Middleton added further pressure by dismissing Ben Aitchison, caught at second slip by Price. Martin Andersson offered some resistance with 35, but Middleton eventually had him caught at first slip. Price then wrapped up the innings, trapping Jack Morley lbw before dismissing Brett Randell to complete Derbyshire's collapse. The victory ended Gloucestershire's run of six consecutive defeats and earned the bottom-placed side 19 valuable Championship points. Both of their wins this season have now come against Derbyshire, who returned from Bristol with only four points and plenty to ponder after another disappointing performance.

Nicholas Pooran’s explosive half-century and Sunil Narine’s devastating spell of spin helped Trinbago Knight Riders secure a convincing 35-run victory over Barbados Tridents in a low-scoring CPL 2026 clash in Bridgetown. Batting first after being put in, Knight Riders posted 147 for 6, with Pooran producing the standout innings. The left-hander scored 59 off 37 balls, including a series of powerful sixes that transformed the visitors’ innings after a cautious start. Pooran took 10 balls to get off the mark but quickly shifted gears. He opened his account with a whip over the leg side before smashing three consecutive sixes off Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the ninth over. He then repeated the feat against Gudakesh Motie in the 14th over, hitting three more sixes in succession. Pooran was also given a crucial reprieve when Rivaldo Clarke dropped him at deep third while he was on 35 off 26 balls. He made the most of the opportunity, finishing with 59 from 37 deliveries. Knight Riders scored 96 runs during Pooran’s stay at the crease, while only 51 runs came from the remaining 57 balls. Colin Munro also provided valuable support with 38, helping Trinbago reach a competitive 147 for 6. For the Tridents, Motie was the leading wicket-taker with 3 for 29, while Mujeeb Ur Rahman claimed 2 for 22. The Barbados chase, however, never gained momentum. Narine produced a sensational opening spell, claiming three wickets during the powerplay and leaving the Tridents struggling at 35 for 4 at the end of six overs. Akeal Hosein added another wicket in the same phase, further tightening the Knight Riders’ grip on the match. The Tridents struggled to find boundaries or build a meaningful partnership. Zachary Carter and Sherfane Rutherford were the joint top-scorers with just 21 runs each, highlighting the difficulty of the batting conditions. Knight Riders' spinners maintained relentless pressure throughout the innings. Narine, Hosein, Usman Tariq and Jyd Goolie combined for eight wickets, conceding just 82 runs in 14.3 overs. Tariq was particularly economical, giving away only 25 runs in his four overs, while Goolie finished with 3 for 20. Fast bowler Lahiru Kumara also made an important contribution, taking two wickets, including the key dismissal of Rutherford. Narine eventually returned to complete the innings, taking the final wicket as Barbados Tridents were bowled out for 112 with nine deliveries still remaining. Narine finished with outstanding figures of 4 for 12, earning the praise for a classic spin-bowling performance. Combined with Pooran’s match-defining 59, his spell ensured Trinbago Knight Riders comfortably defended their total and secured a 35-run victory.

Trinbago Knight Riders began their Women’s Caribbean Premier League campaign in winning fashion, defeating defending champions Barbados Tridents by 21 runs in the tournament opener in Bridgetown. After being asked to bat first by Tridents captain Hayley Matthews, Knight Riders made an explosive start as Laura Harris and Yastika Bhatia put together a 67-run opening partnership in just 5.4 overs. Harris led the charge with a quickfire 38 off 19 balls, while Yastika scored 35 off 27 deliveries. The Knight Riders appeared well placed at 93 for 1 in the 10th over, but Barbados fought back strongly. Qiana Joseph dismissed Yastika by stumping, triggering a collapse that saw Trinbago slip to 133 for 6 in the 18th over. Madeline Penna provided a crucial late contribution, scoring 27 from 21 balls to help Knight Riders reach 155 before being bowled out on the final delivery of the 20th over. Joseph was the pick of the Tridents bowlers, finishing with 3 for 27, while Suzie Bates and Matthews claimed two wickets apiece. Chasing 156, Barbados made a promising start. Matthews and Joseph shared a 40-run opening partnership before Maddy Green and Kiran Navgire added 39 for the third wicket. Navgire continued to keep the Tridents in contention, contributing 28 and later putting on another 22-run stand with Naijanni Cumberbatch. Barbados reached 107 in the 13th over with four wickets down and looked capable of mounting a serious challenge. However, the chase quickly unraveled after the dismissals of Navgire and Green. Shikha Pandey spearheaded the Knight Riders' bowling attack, removing Matthews earlier in the innings before dismissing Cumberbatch and eventually wrapping up the Tridents innings. Barbados were bowled out for 134 in 18.4 overs. Pandey finished with impressive figures of 3 for 17 and was named Player of the Match. Samara Ramnath and Deandra Dottin also made important contributions with two wickets each. The 21-run victory gives Trinbago Knight Riders an ideal start to their Women's Caribbean Premier League campaign, while defending champions Barbados Tridents will look to bounce back in their next match.

India produced a dominant bowling performance to defeat Pakistan by seven wickets after restricting their arch-rivals to just 55 runs, Pakistan’s lowest-ever total in T20I cricket. India completed the chase in just 8.4 overs, with 68 balls remaining. Although India suffered an early setback, captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma guided the team comfortably over the line. The victory was particularly memorable for Harmanpreet, who became the first player in men’s or women’s T20I cricket to captain a team in 150 matches. She celebrated enthusiastically throughout Pakistan’s batting collapse before hitting the winning runs herself. Pakistan Collapse From 27 for 0 to 55 All Out Pakistan appeared to make a steady start after reaching 27 without loss, but their innings quickly fell apart. They lost six wickets for just eight runs in 29 balls, leaving them unable to survive the full 20 overs. Only Pakistan’s two openers managed to reach double figures, while Shawaal Zulfiqar was the only batter to score at a run-a-ball rate. India’s bowlers exploited the conditions in Dubai effectively, with left-arm spinner N Shree Charani making an immediate impact. The world's No. 1-ranked T20I bowler claimed two wickets in her opening over. Charani dismissed Gull Feroza after drawing her out of the crease before trapping Zulfiqar lbw for 14. Her accurate bowling put Pakistan under sustained pressure and triggered a collapse from which they never recovered. Prema Rawat Spins a Web Leg-spinner Prema Rawat was another standout performer for India, finishing with remarkable figures of 4-0-9-3. Rawat bowled 19 dot balls from her 24 deliveries, refusing to give Pakistan's batters any opportunity to attack. Her control proved particularly effective on a Dubai pitch that offered turn. Pakistan's batters struggled to find safe scoring options and repeatedly resorted to risky shots after long periods of dot-ball pressure. Several attempted strokes against the spin ended in wickets. India Recover After Early Scare India's chase did not begin perfectly. Pakistan captain Fatima Sana struck twice in the second over, including the dismissal of Shafali Verma, who had just reached the milestone of 3,000 T20I runs. India also lost Smriti Mandhana to a contentious lbw decision. The delivery appeared to pitch slightly outside leg stump, but with no DRS available in the tournament, the decision could not be reviewed. Despite the early setbacks, Harmanpreet and Deepti remained composed and completed the chase with ease. India One Step Ahead The match reflected India's greater control in all departments. Before the game, Deepti Sharma had said India were "one step ahead" of Pakistan, and the performance on the field largely backed up that assessment. India did make a couple of mistakes, including two dropped catches by Pratika Rawal and a near-missed run-out involving Deepti. However, Pakistan were unable to capitalize on those opportunities. Pakistan's defeat leaves them with work to do in their campaign, although they remain in contention for a semi-final place. A victory over Hong Kong would keep their qualification hopes alive. However, if Pakistan's batting problems continue, their inability to build partnerships and handle pressure could become a major weakness when they reach the knockout stage.

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) could be brought forward to January next year, a move that would put the tournament in direct competition with the Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia and South Africa’s SA20 for the availability of international players. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and owners of the eight PSL franchises discussed the possibility of shifting the tournament from its current April-May window to January at the league’s governing council meeting held in London on September 1. The proposal was reportedly raised by Walee Technologies, the PSL’s media rights holder in Pakistan. The company believes that the April-May window offers limited advertising potential because it comes after Ramadan, when many companies have already exhausted a significant portion of their marketing and television advertising budgets. However, franchise owners have expressed concerns over the financial implications of the proposed change. Under the existing agreement, the eight franchises receive 95% of the broadcast revenue from the PSL’s central revenue pool, while their payments remain fixed regardless of when the tournament is played. The PSL was traditionally held between February and March from its inaugural season in 2016 through 2024. The tournament was moved to April-May for the past two editions because of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025 and the T20 World Cup this year. One advantage of the current April-May schedule has been the uninterrupted availability of international players. A move to January, however, could once again create player-availability problems, with the PSL competing directly with the BBL and SA20, both of which attract several overseas stars. Weather Could Pose Another Challenge A January-February PSL would also present logistical challenges for the PCB, particularly in Punjab. Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi, three of the league's traditional venues, experience cold weather and heavy fog during the winter months. Temperatures can fall into the early single digits after sunset, while poor visibility caused by fog could affect match schedules and travel. One proposal discussed was to begin the tournament in Karachi, where winter conditions are comparatively moderate, before moving the competition to Punjab and Peshawar as the weather improves later in the season. Pakistan currently has a clear international window from mid-November through March. The national team is scheduled to host Sri Lanka and England in October and November before New Zealand arrive for two Test matches in March. PSL Could Expand Beyond Cricket The governing council also discussed ways to increase the PSL's commercial footprint beyond the traditional cricket season. One of the proposals involves entering the Esports market, which has been growing in popularity among younger audiences in Pakistan. Franchise owners are reportedly concerned about declining interest in the PSL following Pakistan's inconsistent performances across formats. Officials believe Esports could help the league attract a younger generation of fans and create additional commercial opportunities. The governing council also considered staging a mid-year tournament under the existing rights agreement with the franchises and broadcaster. The PCB reportedly put forward the idea as another potential revenue stream for both the teams and the broadcaster. Walee Technologies currently holds the PSL's broadcast and digital rights in Pakistan until 2029 and also held the international media rights for the 2026 season. The company is additionally the owner of Rawalpindiz, one of the two new franchises introduced to the league this year. No final decision has yet been made on shifting the PSL to January, but the discussions indicate that the PCB and franchise owners are exploring significant changes to the league's calendar and commercial structure.

Matt Critchley’s determined 96 was not enough to save Essex as Sussex completed a 47-run victory in a tense Rothesay County Championship Division One clash. Sussex needed just over an hour to claim the final three Essex wickets on the fourth day, with the hosts eventually bowled out for 281 while chasing a daunting target of 329. The victory lifts Sussex further away from the threat of relegation and into mid-table, while Essex are left increasingly concerned about their Division One status with three matches remaining in the season. Critchley provided Essex with their biggest obstacle to victory, batting for three-and-a-half hours and facing 132 deliveries. He was eventually dismissed for 96 when he edged James Coles to slip, falling just four runs short of a century. The allrounder’s innings included eight fours and two sixes and marked the third time this season he has been dismissed in the nineties. Critchley has now accumulated 838 Championship runs this season. Essex began the final day needing 132 more runs for an unlikely victory, with plenty of time available. Critchley and Mitch Killeen initially adopted a cautious approach, looking to accumulate runs through singles. Critchley broke the routine with a firm drive through midwicket for four off Ari Karvelas, while Killeen also found the boundary against the Sussex seamer. Karvelas, however, eventually ended Killeen’s resistance. After facing 34 balls, Killeen edged a rising delivery through to the wicketkeeper. The eighth-wicket partnership had added 31 runs from 11 overs. With Essex still needing almost 100 runs, Shane Snater brought aggression to the chase. He cut Coles for four before launching the spinner over cow corner for six. Critchley joined in, hitting Jack Carson for a maximum, before Snater cleared the ropes again four balls later with a straight six. Sussex immediately responded by bringing back Henry Crocombe, and the move paid off almost instantly. With his third delivery, Crocombe forced Snater to steer the ball high towards second slip, where the chance was taken. Critchley followed soon afterwards, ending Essex’s hopes of pulling off a remarkable chase. Crocombe’s spell proves decisive The match had effectively been shaped by a remarkable spell on the second evening, when Essex collapsed from 171 for 3 to 177 all out, losing seven wickets in just 26 balls. Crocombe claimed his second hat-trick in eight days during the extraordinary collapse, leaving Essex with a 98-run first-innings deficit. Sussex then strengthened their position in the second innings, with James Coles contributing a valuable 79. Essex were ultimately set 329 runs for victory from a theoretical 153 overs, a target that always appeared beyond their reach. Sussex’s first innings total of 275 had been built around 60 from Harry Leaning, while Matt Porter claimed four wickets for Essex. In the second innings, Coles’ 79 and contributions from the Sussex batting order set up the imposing target. For Essex, Critchley’s 96 was the standout effort in the second innings, while Coles finished with four wickets for 98 runs. The result was particularly significant in a tightly packed Division One table. Essex and Sussex were separated by just one point at the start of the match, but Sussex’s win moves them towards the safety of mid-table, while Essex remain under pressure in the relegation battle. Both teams have three matches remaining to secure their Division One status and improve their league positions. Injury and replacement issues dominate four days The match was also notable for the number of replacements required by both teams because of injuries and international commitments. Essex lost seamer Charlie Bennett to a recurring shin problem on the opening morning, with Matt Porter replacing him. Sam Cook subsequently left the squad for England duty and was replaced by Mitch Killeen, who returned from a loan spell at Gloucestershire. Wicketkeeper Michael Pepper was also forced out after suffering a thumb injury, with Lancashire’s George Bell joining Essex on an emergency loan. Sussex suffered their own setbacks, losing Australian opener Dan Hughes to a side strain. Oli Carter stepped in as his injury substitute. Allrounder Tom Clark was also ruled out of bowling in the fourth innings because of a knee injury. Sussex will face further selection challenges during the remainder of the Championship campaign, with Crocombe and Coles set to join England’s white-ball squads for much of the run-in. Despite those disruptions, Sussex held their nerve to complete a valuable away victory, while Essex were left to rue their dramatic second-innings collapse and Critchley’s agonising near-century.

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.