Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has quickly resumed training after a successful tour of Zimbabwe. The teenage India batter shared footage on social media of his net session, working on both defense and aggressive shots ahead of the domestic season and Duleep Trophy. He captioned the post simply as preparation.
The 15-year-old has been appointed vice-captain of East Zone for the Duleep Trophy, with Ishan Kishan named captain. The decision has drawn attention due to Sooryavanshi’s age and swift progress. Selector Pravanjan Mullick explained that the role aims to build his experience gradually without immediate full captaincy duties. Ishan Kishan, as a wicketkeeper, will handle much of the on-field leadership.
Mullick noted Sooryavanshi’s prior leadership experience with Bihar in first-class cricket and India’s under-19 World Cup squad. The selectors view the appointment as a chance to develop young talent, with hopes he could one day lead the national side.
Sooryavanshi performed strongly in Zimbabwe, scoring 151 runs in three innings at an average of 50.33 and strike rate of 196.10. He made two fifties, including an unbeaten 81, earned player of the series, and helped India win the T20I series. This followed a modest start to his international career in England, where he did not pass 20 in three innings. He now has six T20I matches and 193 runs at 32.16 with a strike rate of 189.21.
The Duleep Trophy will test him in longer-format cricket under national selectors’ watch. East Zone, including Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar, Shahbaz Ahmed and Abhimanyu Easwaran, opens against North Zone in Bengaluru on August 23.
