East Zone captain Ishan Kishan lauded teammate Mohammed Shami as “a legend of the game” ahead of the Duleep Trophy 2026 final against South Zone, and said that having the 36-year-old in his side was a massive confidence boost for a captain.
Shami has followed a fine Ranji Trophy 2025/26 campaign for Bengal with a strong Duleep Trophy, and will now make his 100th First-Class appearance in the final on Sunday.
“I think he is just one of the best. He is a legend of this game, he has been doing so well since he started playing for Bengal, he has been picking wickets and giving all his energy. He’s done so well for the Indian cricket team as well,” Kishan said of Shami.
“Looking at the effort as a captain, I feel very nice because Shami bhai coming in and asking me for those extra overs to get the wickets is something which always gives confidence to skippers as well.”
He also noted Shami’s hunger to earn an India recall, saying, “It is hard when you are not regularly playing for the Indian team to have that same kind of motivation for your domestic games. It is tough but I see that hunger in him because who better than me can judge about hunger right now,” Kishan said with a laugh.
“I think he has that hunger and that motivation right now, he wants to make that comeback to the Indian squad again.”
The Jharkhand batter said that he expected the Chepauk pitch to be “a good sporting wicket” with assistance for all disciplines. “My observation is that the ball might not turn from day one, maybe it will take some time, the pitch is like a clay container,” he said.
“I feel it is very good, but you need to assess. As a team, we need to just start playing and be aware of the situation, know the wicket, what is happening, what can happen and just be smart on that particular day. It is hard to give any call right now, if it is going to turn or if it is going to seam, but I feel it is going to be a pretty good wicket, a good sporting wicket.”
His sentiments were echoed by his South Zone counterpart Tilak Varma, who added that he expected some early assistance for the seamers. “The wicket has been good for batting and bowling, but initially I think the first day, first session it will be helpful for the fast bowlers,” he said.
Tilak Varma said that as international cricketers, it should not be tough to adjust to the short gap between the Duleep Trophy final and the T20 series against Afghanistan.
| Photo Credit:
Ragu R.
Tilak Varma said that as international cricketers, it should not be tough to adjust to the short gap between the Duleep Trophy final and the T20 series against Afghanistan.
| Photo Credit:
Ragu R.
Quick turnaround
Kishan also backed himself to deal with a tight turnaround between the match and India’s first T20I against Afghanistan in Delhi, which is slated to begin three days after the final day.
“It is just about knowing what format you are playing,” Kishan said of switching formats. “I feel as professionals it is our job to adapt, we cannot be coming up with excuses after knowing this is the scene and this is like your routine for the next few days.
“My job will be different but still I feel we are getting two days of practice before the first Afghanistan game, so it will be more than enough I feel.”
Tilak, who faces a similar challenge, agreed, saying, “We have played enough domestic games, we have played in every condition, so we can adjust, but it will be slightly challenging playing five days here and there joining the team.”
“It will be slightly challenging, but we know how to change our mindsets and maintain our body with good fluids and everything. We have played before in domestic as well as international back-to-back games, so we are quite used to it.”
Published on Sep 05, 2026
