Tilak Varma and Ishan Kishan have admitted that the fast transition from the Duleep Trophy final to India’s upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan will be tough as both players need to quickly adapt from red-ball cricket to fast-paced international T20 cricket. But both cricketers believe that it is necessary to adapt to different formats to be professional and are confident they can do so.
Tilak and Ishan are going to lead South Zone and East Zone, respectively, in the Duleep Trophy final at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The prestigious red-ball final starts on Sunday and ends on September 10.
The timing of the match means the two players have very little time to rest before joining India's T20I squad for the three-match series against Afghanistan. The first T20I will take place on September 13, leaving only a short gap between the Duleep Trophy final and the start of international action.
The problem is not limited to the short turnaround. Tilak Varma and Ishan Kishan will also have to make a major mental and technical adjustment. Red-ball cricket takes patience, concentration and a willingness to spend long periods at the crease, while T20 cricket requires players to adapt quickly and often attack from the very first ball.
Ishan Kishan stressed adaptation was important.
When Ishan Kishan spoke before the Duleep Trophy final, he said switching formats can be difficult at times. But professional cricketers can't use a demanding schedule as an excuse, he said.
The key is to be aware of the format being played and to understand the role required in each situation, Ishan said.
He said that moving from a longer format to T20 cricket requires a big shift in mindset. A batter can spend hours building an innings in a red-ball game and suddenly be expected to play aggressively in a limited-overs game.
Ishan said such changes are part of modern cricket, where players regularly move between domestic and international competitions.
He also noted that the players would have two days of practice before India’s first T20I against Afghanistan. In his opinion, that preparation period should give enough time to adjust to the demands of the shorter format.
The wicketkeeper-batter said that players need to be mentally prepared for the change and not wait until the last minute to make adjustments.
Tilak Varma: “Turnaround is slightly challenging”
Tilak Varma agreed with Ishan's assessment and admitted that the quick turnaround would be “slightly challenging.”
The South Zone captain will potentially spend five days in a red-ball final before flying to join the Indian T20I squad.
Tilak thinks the players have enough experience to handle such situations.
He said the two-day gap before the Afghanistan series should allow the players to recover, practice and prepare for the change in format.
Tilak also stressed that physical recovery is important during busy times. As players move quickly from one competition to another, hydration, fitness and taking care of the body must be monitored.
The young batter said that players have also played back-to-back games in domestic and international cricket. So it is not a completely new experience to adapt to a packed schedule.
Duleep Trophy Final adds more pressure
The Duleep Trophy final itself will be a big moment for both players. East Zone and South Zone will compete for one of the most prestigious trophies in Indian domestic cricket.
Ishan Kishan will lead East Zone, who are looking to win their first Duleep Trophy title since the 2012-13 season. East Zone won their second title that year after defeating Central Zone in the final.
South Zone, led by Tilak Varma, will enter the tournament with a much stronger record in the history of the tournament. South Zone won the Duleep Trophy 12 times and are still one of the most successful teams in the competition.
Their last title was in 2023 and this time the team will be hoping to add another trophy to their list.
The final will therefore require complete concentration from Tilak and Ishan before they shift their focus to India’s international assignment.
Afghanistan T20Is Await After Red-Ball Cricket
Following the Duleep Trophy final, Tilak and Ishan will join the Indian squad for the Afghanistan T20I series.
The series is a completely different challenge. The players will need to be less patient and enduring in first-class cricket and more aggressive in T20.
The transition in team roles, match situations and tactical responsibilities will also change.
Ishan and Tilak are not the only players who are experiencing the change in formats; young talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is also preparing for a busy period.
For Tilak Varma and Ishan Kishan, the next few days will test their adaptability, fitness and mental preparation. Both players seem ready for the challenge, however.
They still have their eyes on the Duleep Trophy final, but with the Afghanistan series just days away, preparations for international T20 cricket will start almost immediately after the red-ball contest concludes.
The high-pressure schedule is part of the reality of modern cricket, where players are increasingly required to move seamlessly between formats. Tilak and Ishan think they have all the experience and preparation necessary to make it work so that they can be ready for the last few days on the field.
