Young Talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Named Captain of Bihar for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy

In a groundbreaking move, 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been appointed as the captain of Bihar for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. His coach, Manish Ojha, expressed pride in this decision, emphasizing Sooryavanshi's impressive performances and experience. This appointment marks a significant milestone in the young cricketer's career, reflecting the growing opportunities for youth in Bihar cricket. As the team prepares for the tournament, Sooryavanshi's leadership is expected to bring a competitive edge. The Bihar Cricket Association has announced a 17-member squad, with Sooryavanshi leading the charge alongside vice-captain Suraj Kashyap. This historic moment not only highlights Sooryavanshi's talent but also sets a precedent for young players in the sport.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 7, 2026, 00:06 IST

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Takes the Helm as Bihar's Captain

In a remarkable achievement, 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been appointed as the captain of Bihar for the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. His coach, Manish Ojha, expressed immense pride in this decision, highlighting that Sooryavanshi has proven himself through his performances and experience at the senior level.

Ojha acknowledged the weight of the captaincy role, especially given Sooryavanshi's young age, but he remains confident in the young cricketer's capabilities. "This is a significant responsibility, particularly for someone so young. However, he has previously excelled as vice-captain during the Duleep Trophy, which speaks volumes about his readiness," Ojha stated.

The coach further emphasized that Sooryavanshi's selection as captain reflects the selectors' faith in his abilities, noting that he is already a member of Team India and a strong candidate for leadership.

Ojha described this development as a positive sign for Bihar cricket, indicating that young players are being entrusted with important roles. "This is a clear indication that Bihar cricket is progressing, and the new generation is being given opportunities to lead and elevate the team," he remarked.

He also referred to Sooryavanshi's captaincy at such a young age as a historic milestone, bringing pride to the young player, his family, and the coaching staff.

When asked about his feelings regarding Sooryavanshi's leadership role, Ojha expressed pride, stating, "This is a proud moment. I believe this could be a record, as I don't think anyone else has captained at such a young age."

The Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) announced a 17-member squad for the initial matches of the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, with Sooryavanshi leading the team and Suraj Kashyap as vice-captain. This marks Sooryavanshi's first time at the helm of Bihar's senior team as they gear up for the tournament.

BCA president Harsh Vardhan commented on the decision, stating, "Vaibhav has shown remarkable talent and maturity at a young age. This role will further aid his growth as both a cricketer and a leader. We are optimistic that under his guidance, the team will perform competitively and effectively this season."

The senior selection committee of the BCA convened on November 6, 2026, to finalize the squad after assessing players' trials and past performances. The meeting included committee chairman Harvinder Singh and member Amitabh Vijayvargiya, with selector S. Sarath participating via phone.

The finalized 17-member Bihar squad includes Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Captain), Alok Kumar, Ayush Loharuka (Wicketkeeper), Altamash Ashraf, Param Kumar Singh, Anmol Kumar (Wicketkeeper), Ritwik Raj, Suraj Kashyap (Vice-Captain), Mayank Kumar, Raghvendra Pratap, Ashish Kumar, Vasudev Pratap Singh, Mohammad Izhar, Amod Yadav, Prashant Singh, Nawaz Khan, and Himanshu Singh.

Mangal Mahour and Shakib Hussain's selection will depend on their fitness, which will be evaluated after the first two matches. The selection committee will make a final decision regarding their availability afterward.

Standby players include Bipin Saurabh, Suman Kumar, Akash Raj, Khalid Alam, Bhaskar Dubey, Kumar Rajnish, Suyash, Abhijeet Saket, Yashasvi Rishabh, Lakhan Raja, Pawan Kumar, Amit Chaudhary, Piyush Singh, Bhanu Kumar, Lokesh Babulal Kumar, and Prashant Srivastava.

Sooryavanshi's captaincy is a significant milestone in his cricketing journey. He gained attention while playing for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026, showcasing his aggressive batting style. His talent earned him a spot in the Indian team, where he has made a mark in international T20 cricket.

In a recent T20 International against New Zealand, Sooryavanshi opened the innings with Abhishek Sharma, forming a record-breaking partnership. They scored 118 runs without losing a wicket in just six overs, setting a world record for the highest powerplay score in men's T20 International cricket. Sooryavanshi contributed 45 runs off 19 balls, while Sharma scored an impressive 113 runs off 38 balls.