Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Fever Hits Chepauk: 12,000 Fans Turn Up for Duleep Trophy Final

Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium witnessed an extraordinary crowd on Sunday as nearly 12,000 fans turned up to watch 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the Duleep Trophy final between East Zone and South Zone. The unprecedented turnout forced the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) to open additional stands for spectators.

Sooryavanshi, who has become one of the biggest young stars in Indian cricket, opened the innings for East Zone alongside Abhimanyu Easwaran. He entertained the packed stands with an aggressive 44 off 37 balls, including five fours and a six, before being dismissed by Chama Milind.

12,000 Fans Pack Chepauk to Watch Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

The crowd began building even before the start of play after news spread that Sooryavanshi would be batting for East Zone.

The lower sections of the C, D and E stands were opened free to spectators and quickly filled up. With more fans arriving, additional stands were opened, creating an unusual atmosphere for a domestic first-class match.

The response underlined the extraordinary popularity Sooryavanshi has developed despite being only 15 years old.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Scores 44 Off 37 Balls

Sooryavanshi wasted little time entertaining the Chepauk crowd.

He scored 44 runs from 37 deliveries, hitting five boundaries and one six. One of the highlights came against Mohammed Siraj, whom the teenager attacked with aggressive strokes over the off side.

After spending around 93 minutes at the crease, Sooryavanshi was dismissed by Chama Milind.

His departure also had an immediate impact on the crowd, with many spectators beginning to leave after getting the opportunity to watch the teenage star bat.

Why Was the Duleep Trophy Final Shifted to Chennai?

The final was originally scheduled to be played at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

However, the match was shifted to the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai because of restrictions on crowd attendance at the Bengaluru venue. Chepauk, located in the heart of Chennai, offered a much better opportunity for fans to attend the final.

The decision proved significant, with thousands of spectators eventually turning up specifically to watch Sooryavanshi.

Chepauk Turns Into ‘Vaibhav’s Stadium’

The Chennai crowd's reaction was notable because the match featured South Zone against East Zone, meaning Sooryavanshi was representing the visiting side.

Yet the teenager received huge support from the Chepauk crowd.

Fans repeatedly chanted his name and later gathered to get photographs and autographs from the young batter. The scenes were highly unusual for a domestic first-class match in India.

Sooryavanshi’s Growing Cricket Craze

The Chepauk crowd was the latest example of the growing popularity surrounding Sooryavanshi.

His breakout IPL 2026 campaign has transformed him into one of the most recognisable young cricketers in the country. He finished the 2026 IPL season with 776 runs, according to the IPL's player statistics.

His aggressive batting style and remarkable numbers have generated comparisons with established stars, while his rapid rise has also attracted attention from former cricketers and international players.

Srikkanth Praises the Teenage Sensation

Former India cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth has also praised Sooryavanshi's influence on domestic cricket.

The former India opener suggested that the teenager's popularity could encourage more people to watch domestic matches, highlighting how unusual it is for a 15-year-old to generate such a following at a first-class fixture.

The response at Chepauk certainly supported that assessment.

East Zone Make Strong Start

Although Sooryavanshi missed out on a half-century, East Zone made an impressive start in the Duleep Trophy final.

Abhimanyu Easwaran also contributed significantly, while captain Ishan Kishan went on to score an unbeaten century. East Zone finished the opening day strongly at 385/4, with Kishan unbeaten on 111 and Kumar Kushagra on 63.

Sooryavanshi's early attacking innings provided the initial spark before the experienced batters took contro