Vaibhav Sooryavanshi convinces Ishan Kishan to take review, decision turns out to be correct

A sharp moment of alertness from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi shaped the early exchanges of South Zone’s first innings in the 2026-27 Duleep Trophy final at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Tuesday, September 8. In the sixth over of South Zone’s reply, Mukesh Kumar bowled to opener Ricky Bhui, and both wicketkeeper Kumar Kushagra and Sooryavanshi, standing at slip, believed they had heard an edge. The on-field umpire, however, did not raise his finger.

A video clip shared by BCCI Domestic on X captured what followed. Sooryavanshi was heard on the stump mic urging East Zone captain Ishan Kishan to act, saying: “I’m telling you, take it. Take the review.” and “Take it, take it.” Kishan accepted the advice and East Zone called for the DRS check.

How the successful DRS review unfolded

UltraEdge showed a clear spike as the ball passed the bat, confirming it had kissed the inside edge. The on-field decision was overturned and Bhui was dismissed caught behind off Mukesh Kumar.

“A wonderful catch by Kumar Kushagra. But if you need to take the review, you’ll have to go to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Firstly, listen to what he has to say. Vaibhav could be heard telling Ishan Kishan on the stump mic ‘I’m telling you, take it. Take the review.’ Mukesh Kumar, say thank you to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. It’s because of him that they’ve taken the review,” the commentator said on air.

South Zone began their first innings on Day 3 facing the considerable task of responding to East Zone’s total of 708, which the side had posted in 163 overs on Days 1 and 2. Kishan had won the toss and elected to bat first at the start of the match on September 6.

East Zone’s 708 was built on several substantial contributions. Kishan himself scored 270, and it was the second-highest individual score in a Duleep Trophy final in the tournament’s history, behind Raman Lamba’s 320. Kumar Kushagra added 101, Shikhar Mohan contributed 85 off 120 balls, Abhimanyu Easwaran made 72, and Sooryavanshi himself scored 44 off 37 balls at the top of the order, having opened alongside Easwaran.

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The 2026-27 Duleep Trophy is the tournament’s 63rd edition, reverting to a six-team, single-elimination format involving the original five zones and North East Zone. The final at Chepauk runs from September 6 to 10, 2026. East Zone reached the final by beating defending champions Central Zone by four wickets in the first semi-final, while South Zone defeated North Zone by seven wickets in the second semi-final.