Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s much-anticipated Duleep Trophy debut got off to a disappointing start as the 15-year-old was dismissed for just eight runs while representing East Zone against North East Zone in Bengaluru on Sunday. The teenage batting sensation entered the tournament as one of the biggest attractions after his impressive performances in white-ball cricket.
Sooryavanshi was named East Zone’s vice-captain for the tournament despite having limited first-class experience. He had featured in eight first-class matches for Bihar before the Duleep Trophy, scoring 207 runs in 12 innings at an average of 17.25, with a highest score of 93.
The youngster’s inclusion generated considerable interest as he looked to strengthen his credentials in red-ball cricket. Sooryavanshi has already made a significant impact in T20 cricket and was part of East Zone’s strong squad alongside captain Ishan Kishan, experienced pacer Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar and Abhimanyu Easwaran.
The Duleep Trophy provides Sooryavanshi with an important opportunity to gain experience against established domestic players and improve his record in the longer format. His appointment as vice-captain has also placed additional attention on the teenager, who continues to be regarded as one of India's most exciting young batting prospects.
For Sooryavanshi, the early dismissal will be a learning experience as he adapts to the demands of first-class cricket. East Zone are taking on North East Zone in a quarter-final at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, with the winner progressing to the semifinals. The tournament marks the beginning of India’s 2026-27 domestic season.
