15-Year-Old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Appointed Vice-Captain of East Zone for Duleep Trophy

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a 15-year-old cricket prodigy, has been appointed as the vice-captain of the East Zone for the upcoming Duleep Trophy. His selection follows a remarkable performance against Zimbabwe, where he scored 81 runs and earned accolades as Player of the Match and Series. This decision has sparked debate on social media regarding the appropriateness of assigning such responsibilities to a young player. Selector Pravanjan Mullick explained that the role is intended to aid Sooryavanshi's development, with hopes that he could one day lead the Indian team. With prior experience in domestic cricket and the IPL, Sooryavanshi's future in cricket looks promising.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 30, 2026, 23:30 IST

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Rising Career

Despite being at the early stages of his career, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has made a significant mark in international cricket. The 15-year-old talent has been appointed as the vice-captain of the East Zone team for the upcoming Duleep Trophy, with Ishan Kishan serving as the captain.

As a player from Bihar, Sooryavanshi's inclusion in the Duleep Trophy 2025/26 squad is noteworthy. His recent performance, where he scored a match-winning 81 runs in the final T20I against Zimbabwe in Harare, earned him both Player of the Match and Player of the Series accolades for accumulating 151 runs across three matches.

Social Media Reactions to His Appointment

The decision to appoint a 15-year-old as vice-captain has ignited discussions on social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter). Many users have expressed concerns about whether such a leadership role is being assigned too soon in his career.

Rationale Behind Sooryavanshi's Selection

The selection committee's choice of Sooryavanshi as vice-captain raised eyebrows, especially with seasoned players like Mohammad Shami and Mukesh Kumar in the squad. Selector Pravanjan Mullick explained that the intention behind this decision is not to overwhelm the young player but to foster his growth.

In an interview with Cricbuzz, Mullick emphasized that Ishan Kishan, as a wicketkeeper, will be actively engaged throughout the match, allowing Sooryavanshi to take on more responsibilities, which will aid in his development.

"He is not the captain; he is the vice-captain. Ishan will be involved all day, and giving Vaibhav more responsibility will help him mature further," Mullick stated.

Vaibhav's Experience and Future Prospects

Sooryavanshi made his first-class debut for the Bihar senior team in January 2024 during the Ranji Trophy against Mumbai. His earlier appointment as vice-captain for Bihar in the initial rounds of the Ranji Trophy 2025/26 suggests that this new role is a continuation of his growing responsibilities.

Mullick further noted that providing young players with leadership roles is essential, expressing hope that Sooryavanshi could eventually captain the Indian team. "This is a significant opportunity for him, and we believe in nurturing young talent for future leadership roles," he added.

At just 15, Sooryavanshi has already gained valuable experience in domestic, IPL, and international cricket, showcasing his potential with the Rajasthan Royals and impressive performances in white-ball formats for India.