'Kya ye vice-captain?': How Tilak Varma's sledge prompted Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's dismissal; Watch video

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's spectacular batting fell prey to a funny sledging on Day 1 of the Duleep Trophy 2026 final clash between East Zone and South Zone on September 6. 15-year-old batting prodigy was well on his way to yet another batting blitz before impulsive shot selection cut his night short at 44. Acting as vice-captain for East Zone, the young Samastipur batter initially mounted an aggressive assault against the South Zone attack, pairing up with Abhimanyu Easwaran to construct a fluid 100-run opening stand.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi falls into Tilak Varma’s trap

Sooryavanshi’s early blitz was marked by a complete lack of deference toward experienced India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, whom he relentlessly targeted. Capitalizing on defensive field placements set by South Zone skipper Tilak Varma, the left-hander repeatedly found the gaps with laser accuracy. He effectively forced Siraj out of the attack early after taking him for 16 runs, including two crisp boundaries and a maximum, in a single, high-octane over.

Despite laying such a commanding foundation, the talented teenager, who is slated for a call-up in the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, let his composure slip just as a half-century came into view. Falling into a trap set by bowler Chama V Milind, Sooryavanshi gifted his wicket away, converting what promised to be a match-defining milestone into an abrupt exit.

Watch the video here:

Tilak raised eyebrows early in the match with unusually passive tactics, spreading the field right from the opening delivery. Taking full advantage of the deep fielders, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi effortlessly kept the scoreboard ticking by finding single-taking gaps and comfortably clearing the infield whenever he decided to go big.

Realizing his initial strategy was allowing the game to drift, Tilak shifted to psychological warfare and stepped up to verbally test the teenager. Captured clearly on the stump microphone, he playfully poked at the 15-year-old’s leadership role, asking, “Kya yaar ye vice-captain?” The ribbing remained strictly friendly, with both players exchanging smiles and casual chatter despite the high-stakes environment.

While Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was playing his customary aggressive role, Abhimanyu Easwaran matched him blow for blow at the other end. The experienced Bengal opener actually outpaced his teenage partner, winning the race to fifty and keeping East Zone firmly in control during their century opening stand.

For Sooryavanshi, this premature exit on 44 mirrored a similar missed opportunity in the semi-final against Central Zone, where he was bowled out for 92. Despite falling short of three figures on both occasions, his firepower proved crucial in steering the Ishan Kishan-led squad into the summit clash.

The stage for this marquee final was set earlier in the morning when skipper Kishan won the flip of the coin and elected to take first guard. Both setups adjusted their personnel for the title match—East Zone opted for a single swap, while South Zone made four tactical inclusions, notably bringing in heavy hitters Devdutt Padikkal and Mohammed Siraj.