Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Becomes Youngest T20 Captain at Just 15
Historic Achievement for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a rising star in cricket, has made headlines by becoming the youngest captain in men's T20 cricket history at the tender age of 15. He has been appointed to lead Bihar in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2026.
Sooryavanshi took charge of the Bihar team during their Elite Group B match against Saurashtra at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on Saturday, where Bihar opted to bat first after winning the toss.
With this remarkable appointment, Sooryavanshi has outpaced numerous young captains, setting a new record. Croatia's Zach Vukusic previously held the second spot, having captained his national team against Cyprus at 17 years and 311 days on August 7, 2025.
The list of young captains also includes Taimur Ali, who debuted for Quetta Bears in Pakistan's domestic T20 league in 2009 at 17 years and 358 days.
Vukusic and Laksh Barkania made their mark through international cricket, while Noman Amjad led France against the Czech Republic in July 2022.
On Friday, the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) announced a 17-member squad for Bihar's first two matches in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Sooryavanshi has been named captain, with Suraj Kashyap as vice-captain. This marks the first occasion that Vaibhav will lead Bihar's senior team as they gear up for the tournament, according to a BCA release.
BCA president Harsh Vardhan commented on this development, stating, "Vaibhav has shown remarkable talent, confidence, and maturity at such a young age. This role will further enhance his growth as a cricketer and leader. We are optimistic that under his guidance, the team will perform with discipline and competitiveness while representing the state this season."
Earlier this year, Sooryavanshi shone at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, earning accolades such as Most Valuable Player, Emerging Player of the Season, Super Striker of the Season, Orange Cap winner, and Super Sixes of the Season. The 15-year-old from Bihar had an outstanding tournament with the Rajasthan Royals, scoring 776 runs at an impressive strike rate of 237.30.
His consistent performance, which included a record-setting 72 sixes, allowed him to break several long-standing IPL records and establish himself as one of the brightest prospects in Indian cricket. At just 15, he also became the youngest player to win the Orange Cap, surpassing the previous record held by Gujarat Titans opener Sudharsan, who won it at 23 years and 231 days in 2025, and Shubman Gill, who set the record in 2023 at 23 years and 263 days.