Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s rapid rise in Indian cricket has taken another significant turn, with the 15-year-old named vice-captain of the East Zone squad for the 2026 Duleep Trophy. The Bihar batter will serve as deputy to captain Ishan Kishan in the 15-member squad for the inter-zonal red-ball tournament.
The appointment comes days after Sooryavanshi impressed during India’s recent T20I series in Zimbabwe. He was named Player of the Series after helping India complete a 3-0 sweep, adding another major achievement to a career that has moved at remarkable speed. He had also made his senior India debut on the recent tour of the United Kingdom.
Sooryavanshi’s elevation to a leadership role has attracted considerable attention because of his age. At just 15, he is already being trusted with responsibility alongside established domestic and international players. The East Zone selection committee has viewed the move as part of his development, rather than simply a reward for his recent T20 performances.
The Duleep Trophy will also provide Sooryavanshi with an opportunity to strengthen the red-ball side of his game. The tournament begins on August 23 in Bengaluru and will give the teenager valuable exposure to multi-day cricket. Unlike the fast-paced nature of T20 cricket, the Duleep Trophy demands concentration over long periods and tests a batter’s technique, patience and ability to adapt to changing match situations.
For Sooryavanshi, that transition could be particularly important as Indian cricket manages his development across formats. His recent international performances have highlighted his aggressive batting, but a first-class competition offers a different challenge. As vice-captain, he will also have an opportunity to learn from experienced players while gradually taking on greater responsibility.
The East Zone squad contains a mix of youth and experience. Ishan Kishan will lead the side, while the team also includes veteran India fast bowler Mohammed Shami, experienced opener Abhimanyu Easwaran and Bengal pacer Mukesh Kumar. Shahbaz Ahmed, Kumar Kushagra and several established domestic players are also part of the squad.
Shami’s inclusion adds considerable experience to the bowling attack. The 35-year-old has not played for India since the 2025 Champions Trophy final but remained active in domestic cricket during the 2025-26 season. He also featured regularly for Lucknow Super Giants during the 2026 Indian Premier League. His presence could provide Sooryavanshi and the other younger members of the squad with an opportunity to learn from an experienced international campaigner.
The complete East Zone squad includes Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sudip Kumar Gharami, Shahbaz Ahmed, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal, Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar, Ishan Kishan, Kumar Kushagra, Shikhar Mohan, Anukul Roy, Virat Singh, Subhranshu Senapati, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Denish Das and Abhijit Sarkar.
Sooryavanshi’s selection follows a remarkable period in his young career. His emergence has been one of the biggest talking points in Indian cricket, particularly after his performances at the domestic and franchise levels. His ability to score quickly and take on experienced bowlers has made him one of the country’s most closely watched young batters.
His recent Zimbabwe tour provided another major step. Across the three T20Is, Sooryavanshi scored 151 runs at an average of 50.33 and was named Player of the Series as India completed a clean sweep. His performances also helped him make a huge jump in the latest ICC T20I batting rankings, climbing 230 places to a career-best 48th position.
That success has inevitably brought greater expectations. However, his Duleep Trophy assignment is less about proving himself again and more about continuing his development. Red-ball cricket will test different aspects of his batting and could help build the foundation for a longer international career.
The vice-captaincy also gives Sooryavanshi a first taste of leadership at a senior domestic level. While he will not be expected to carry the entire responsibility of the East Zone side, working alongside Ishan Kishan and experienced players could be an important learning experience.
The decision has also sparked debate within the cricket community, with some questioning whether such a young player should be handed a leadership role so early. Veteran commentator Harsha Bhogle, for instance, has questioned the timing of the appointment. The selection committee, however, has backed the move as part of a longer-term approach to developing the youngster.
For now, Sooryavanshi’s focus will shift from the shortest format to the longer version of the game. The Duleep Trophy could offer him an important bridge between his explosive T20I emergence and the demands of first-class cricket.
With Ishan Kishan leading East Zone and experienced names such as Shami and Easwaran in the group, Sooryavanshi will have plenty of support around him. His appointment as vice-captain is another indication of how quickly Indian cricket sees his potential developing.
The teenager’s journey is moving fast, but the Duleep Trophy presents a chance to slow things down, learn the demands of red-ball cricket and take another measured step towards what could be a significant international career.
