As many as five players who have represented India in international cricket featured in the first quarterfinal of the Duleep Trophy 2026 between East Zone and North East Zone at the BCCI Centre of Excellence
Ground 2 in Bengaluru from August 23 to 25. However, only one of them managed to impress with both the bat and the ball.
The fixture was expected to be dominated by 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Mohammed Shami and Ishan Kishan, but it was Bengal all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed who stole the show.
The 31-year-old spin-bowling all-rounder, who has played three ODIs for India in 2022 and two T20Is in 2023, scored 167 runs as a No. 7 batter in the first innings before picking up three wickets for 20 runs in 10 overs. He also accounted for the dismissal of one North East Zone batter in the second innings after East Zone captain Ishan enforced the follow-on.
A tremendous knock under pressure 💪
Watch 📽️ highlights of Shahbaz Ahmed’s wonderful knock of 167(244) vs North East Zone
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/XJFhfvvTIU#DuleepTrophy pic.twitter.com/baoHtnoFZB
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) August 24, 2026
Ishan, who was in red-hot form for India at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, could manage only four runs off nine balls with the bat in the first innings. However, he impressed with his wicketkeeping, particularly with his stumping skills. He completed one stumping in each innings and also took four catches in the second innings.
East Zone win 👏
Another excellent stumping from Ishan Kishan 👌
A 5⃣-wicket haul for Anukul Roy 🖐️
A commanding performance as they beat North East Zone by an innings and 210 runs to enter the semis 🙌
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/XJFhfvvTIU#DuleepTrophy pic.twitter.com/5J2QUTU1uG
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) August 25, 2026
15-year-old Vaibhav is Ishan’s deputy in the Duleep Trophy, but he was dismissed for just eight runs off six balls in the first innings. He did not get another opportunity to bat as East Zone won the match by an innings, but he grabbed headlines with his spin bowling on Tuesday (August 25).
The Bihar-based cricketer bowled three overs and picked up two wickets for 11 runs.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi provides Double Delight ✌️
Picks up 2⃣ wickets in the over. 2 excellent catches as well. 🙌
North East Zone are 79/7 in the 2nd innings after following on.
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/XJFhfvvTIU#DuleepTrophy pic.twitter.com/NnYbBPnrja
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) August 25, 2026
Bengal pacers Mohammed Shami and Mukesh Kumar, who have represented India in all three formats, were also part of East Zone’s playing XI against North East Zone. However, Shami failed to make any significant contribution.
He bowled nine overs in the first innings and five in the second but failed to take a single wicket. His economy rate of 4.00 in the first innings was the most expensive among the five bowlers used by East Zone.
Mukesh, on the other hand, picked up one wicket in each innings and conceded runs at an economy rate of 1.50 in the first innings and 1.30 in the second.
