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Selectors Explain Rationale Behind Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Vice-Captaincy for East Zone

The selection of 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as the vice-captain of the East Zone squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy 2026 generated considerable surprise across the cricketing fraternity. Addressing the reaction, East Zone selector Pravanjan Mullick detailed the thought process behind giving leadership responsibilities to the young batter alongside captain Ishan Kishan.

What Happened

Following the announcement of the East Zone squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy 2026, questions arose regarding the decision to appoint 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as vice-captain. In an interview with Cricbuzz, East Zone selector Pravanjan Mullick clarified that the appointment does not make Sooryavanshi the primary leader on the field. Instead, core leadership duties remain with captain Ishan Kishan, who will be actively involved throughout match days as the team’s wicketkeeper. Mullick explained that giving the vice-captaincy to Sooryavanshi is intended to offer him early exposure to responsibility and foster maturity as his career develops.

Key Highlights

  • East Zone selector Pravanjan Mullick confirmed that main leadership duties rest with captain and wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan.
  • The vice-captaincy role is designed to give 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi leadership experience and encourage maturity in his game.
  • Sooryavanshi, who was born in Samastipur, is also the current vice-captain of Bihar in first-class cricket.
  • The youngster comes into the tournament following a successful run that included winning the Orange Cap for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL and making his international debut about a month later.
  • Strong performances in the Duleep Trophy could allow national selectors to assess his endurance and potential readiness for multi-day international cricket.

Why This Matters

According to Pravanjan Mullick, integrating young players into leadership roles is essential for their long-term growth. Because Ishan Kishan will handle active on-field management as wicketkeeper, Sooryavanshi will not bear full-time captaincy duties during matches. Instead, the role acts as an opportunity to build maturity under pressure. Mullick expressed optimism that added responsibility at this stage could serve Sooryavanshi well in his progression toward potentially leading the national team in the future.

What to Watch Next

National selectors will closely monitor performances during the premier red-ball Duleep Trophy tournament. Batting performances in the multi-day format will serve as a key metric for evaluating Sooryavanshi’s endurance and ability to hold his ground in long-format cricket. Mullick noted that solid scores in the tournament could put the youngster in contention for the Indian Test team in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is leading the East Zone team for the Duleep Trophy 2026?

Ishan Kishan is the captain and primary leader of the East Zone squad, serving also as the team’s wicketkeeper.

Does Vaibhav Sooryavanshi have previous leadership experience?

Yes, the Samastipur-born cricketer already serves as the vice-captain for Bihar in first-class cricket.

What recent form did Vaibhav Sooryavanshi display prior to this selection?

Sooryavanshi recently won the Orange Cap playing for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League and made his international debut approximately one month after the season.

Source: Crictracker / Cricbuzz