VIDEO- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Fine-Tunes Skills Ahead of Duleep Trophy Debut as East Zone Vice-Captain
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, 15, is rigorously preparing for the Duleep Trophy 2026-27, where he will serve as the vice-captain for East Zone, building on his recent Player of the Series triumph in Zimbabwe. The Duleep Trophy kicks off on August 23, 2026, at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, with East Zone facing North East Zone in their quarter-final.
Bengaluru: Teenage cricketing prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is actively engaged in net sessions, meticulously fine-tuning his formidable skills as he gears up for his maiden Duleep Trophy campaign, where he will shoulder the responsibility of East Zone's vice-captaincy. The appointment comes on the heels of his stellar performance during India's recent tour of Zimbabwe, where he was awarded the Player of the Series, solidifying his status as one of the most exciting talents in Indian cricket. Harbhajan Singh Breaks Silence on NCA Expulsion in 2000: 'Meri Galti Nahi Thi'.
At just 15 years and 137 days old (born March 27, 2011), Sooryavanshi's rapid ascent in the cricketing world has been nothing short of extraordinary. His role as deputy to East Zone captain Ishan Kishan for the prestigious red-ball tournament underscores the selectors' confidence in his burgeoning leadership capabilities and exceptional talent.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Preparing for Duleep Trophy
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Duleep Trophy 2026-27: Tournament Overview
The 63rd edition of the Duleep Trophy is set to kick off India's 2026-27 domestic season, featuring six zonal teams competing in a first-class knockout format. The tournament will be hosted entirely at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.
Key Dates & Fixtures:
| Stage | Match-up | Dates | Time (IST) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quarter-final | East Zone vs North East Zone | August 23-26, 2026 | 9:30 AM | COE Ground 2, Bengaluru |
| Quarter-final | North Zone vs West Zone | August 23-26, 2026 | 9:30 AM | COE Ground 1, Bengaluru |
| Semi-final 1 | Central Zone vs TBC | August 30 - Sep 2, 2026 | 9:30 AM | COE Ground 1, Bengaluru |
| Semi-final 2 | South Zone vs TBC | August 30 - Sep 2, 2026 | 9:30 AM | COE Ground 2, Bengaluru |
| Final | TBC vs TBC | September 6-10, 2026 | 9:30 AM | COE Ground 1, Bengaluru |
East Zone Squad (Key Players):
- Captain: Ishan Kishan
- Vice-captain: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
- Other Notable Players: Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sudip Gharami, Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Kumar Kushagra, Anukul Roy.
Sooryavanshi's Meteoric Rise
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's journey to the Duleep Trophy vice-captaincy has been marked by an array of record-breaking achievements. He holds the distinction of being the youngest player to debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Rajasthan Royals on April 19, 2025, less than a month after his 14th birthday. His explosive batting skills were further highlighted when he became the youngest centurion in IPL history, scoring 101 runs off 38 balls with a 35-ball century against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025.
In the IPL 2026 season, Sooryavanshi made history again by becoming the youngest-ever Orange Cap winner at 15 years and 65 days old, amassing 776 runs in 16 matches with a staggering strike rate of 237.30, including a record 72 sixes. On the international front, July 2026 saw him become India's youngest men's international debutant during the T20I series against England at 15 years and 99 days of age. Prior to this, he was also the Player of the Tournament at the ICC Under-19 World Cup in early 2026, which was held in Zimbabwe and Namibia. He finished as the second-highest run-scorer with 439 runs in 7 matches, including a commanding 175 off 80 deliveries in the final against England.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 11, 2026 03:56 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
