Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Takes Charge as Bihar Captain for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
A New Era for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
The appointment of 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as the captain of Bihar for the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is a significant achievement. His coach, Manish Ojha, emphasized that this role is a testament to Sooryavanshi's impressive performances and experience at the senior level. In a recent statement, Ojha expressed confidence in the young cricketer's ability to manage this responsibility despite his age.
"This is indeed a major responsibility, especially given Vaibhav's youth. However, he has previously demonstrated his capabilities as vice-captain during the Duleep Trophy, where he excelled," Ojha remarked.
"Following that, the selectors have now entrusted him with the captaincy of the team. He is also a member of Team India, making him a strong candidate for this leadership role," he added.
Ojha viewed this decision as a positive sign for Bihar cricket, highlighting the increasing opportunities for young talent in the state. "This indicates that Bihar cricket is progressing, allowing the new generation to take on responsibilities and elevate the team's performance," he stated.
He further noted that Sooryavanshi's leadership at such a young age is a historic milestone, bringing pride to the young athlete, his family, and the coaching staff. "This is a proud moment, and I believe it sets a record for the youngest captain. Vaibhav's opportunity is a source of pride for all of us, and I hope he meets the expectations of selectors, players, and fans alike," Ojha concluded.
Bihar Cricket's Squad Announcement
On Friday, the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) revealed a 17-member squad for the initial matches of the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Sooryavanshi will lead the team, with Suraj Kashyap serving as vice-captain. This marks the first occasion that Vaibhav will captain Bihar's senior team as they gear up for the tournament.
BCA president Harsh Vardhan commented on the development, stating, "Vaibhav has shown remarkable talent, confidence, and maturity at such 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 convened on November 6, 2026, to finalize the squad after assessing player trials and past performances. The meeting included selection committee chairman Harvinder Singh and member Amitabh Vijayvargiya, with selector S. Sarath participating via phone. The squad was determined following trials held from November 4 to 6.
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. The fitness of Mangal Mahour and Shakib Hussain will be evaluated after the first two matches to determine their availability. 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.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Rise to Leadership
Sooryavanshi's captaincy is a pivotal moment in his cricketing journey. He gained recognition while playing for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026, where his aggressive batting style caught the attention of many. His impressive performances led to his selection for the Indian team, where he showcased his skills in international T20 matches.
In a recent T20 International against New Zealand, Vaibhav opened the innings with Abhishek Sharma, forming a record-breaking partnership. The duo 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. They also achieved an opening partnership of 133 runs off 43 balls, with Vaibhav contributing 45 runs off 19 balls, while Abhishek Sharma scored an impressive 113 runs off 38 balls.