Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the promising teenage cricketer, has stepped into a leadership role as the stand-in captain for East Zone during their Duleep Trophy semifinal against Central Zone. This match took place at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on Sunday. Sooryavanshi’s appointment marks another significant milestone in his burgeoning cricket career, showcasing his potential and the trust placed in him by the team management.
The 15-year-old had been appointed East Zone’s vice-captain for the semifinal, with Ishan Kishan named as the regular skipper. He made his Ranji Trophy debut in 2024 and has since featured in nine first-class matches. Sooryavanshi, who was named East Zone’s vice-captain for the contest, stepped in as skipper after regular captain Ishan Kishan was forced to leave the field following an injury while keeping wickets. Kishan was hit on his right hand while keeping wickets during Central Zone’s innings. He received treatment from the physios before walking off the field for further assessment. Kumar Kushagara replaced Kishan behind the stumps, while Sooryavanshi took over as the stand-in captain of East Zone. Kishan later returned to the field with his hand strapped and resumed his role as captain. The captaincy stint marked Sooryavanshi’s first experience of leading a senior team in first-class cricket. His appointment had attracted attention given his age, but the selection committee backed the decision. Sooryavanshi is playing in only his second Duleep Trophy match.
East Zone kept Central Zone under pressure in the opening session, restricting them to 81/3 after 32 overs. Earlier reporting noted: Why 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi took charge as East Zone’s stand-in captain in Duleep Trophy semifinal Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Screengrabs) Earlier reporting noted: Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi took on a new responsibility on Sunday as he captained East Zone for the first time in senior first-class cricket during their Duleep Trophy semifinal against Central Zone. Earlier reporting noted: 15-year-old Sooryavanshi, who is normally East Zone’s vice-captain, stepped in after regular skipper Ishan Kishan was forced off the field with a thumb injury while keeping wickets.
He also revealed what Kishan told him before handing him the ball. In the ongoing semifinal, East Zone won the toss and opted to bowl first against Rajat Patidar-led Central Zone.
Speaking about his bowling role after the game, Sooryavanshi said that batters enjoy bowling just as bowlers enjoy batting. A batter always enjoys bowling and a bowler always enjoys batting equally,” Sooryavanshi said in a video posted by BCCI Domestic. The teenager was also in focus during East Zone’s quarterfinal against North East Zone. He scored eight runs in the match but made an impact with the ball, picking up two wickets. “If you ask any batter, they always enjoy bowling. “Opponent team’s wickets weren’t falling, so I was asked to bowl two or three overs. Ishan Bhaiya felt like he was taking a risk, but he didn’t know that I am a wicket-taker,” he added. Abhijit K Sarkar picked up two wickets, dismissing Aman Mokhade and Kunal Chandela, while Mukesh Kumar accounted for Central Zone captain Rajat Patidar. Mohammed Shami also had a fiery contest with Patidar during the opening session as East Zone made early inroads. Kumar Kushagra replaced Kishan behind the stumps, while Sooryavanshi temporarily took charge of the team.
