15 year star batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had a great tour of England and Zimbabwe. England, where he made his debut and completely dominated Zimbabwe, where he scored 151 runs in just three T20Is, including two half centuries.
He was also named the player of the series. India thrashed Zimbabwe by 3-0 in a T20 series under Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy. It was also Shreyas Iyer’s first T20 Series win as a captain after humiliating Ireland and England Tour. However, the 15 year star boy is all set to take the field again as BCCI announces the Duleep Trophy Schedule for 2026. He has been named vice-captain of the East Zone team for the Duleep Trophy, giving him a chance to play red-ball cricket.
When will Vaibhav Sooryavanshi play his next match?
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s next match is in the Duleep Trophy. He has been picked in the East Zone squad as vice-captain. The Duleep Trophy is an important domestic first-class tournament in India and will give the young batter more experience in red-ball cricket. As BCCI announce the schedule for Duleep Trophy 2026, the first match is between East Zone and North East Zone.
Why is Sooryavanshi not playing for India?
Despite his excellent performances in Zimbabwe, Sooryavanshi will had to wait for his next India opportunity. The young batter is now part of the East Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy. Playing domestic cricket will help him get more experience before he returns to the Indian team. At just 15 years old, regular first-class cricket can also help him improve his game.
Who is the captain of the East Zone team?
Sooryavanshi has been named the vice-captain of the East Zone team, while Ishan Kishan will lead the side. The 15-member squad also includes experienced players such as Mohammed Shami, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Mukesh Kumar and Shahbaz Ahmed. Kumar Kushagra is also part of the team.
When does the Duleep Trophy 2026 start?
The Duleep Trophy will begin on August 23, 2026, in Bengaluru. East Zone will face North East Zone in the first quarter-final at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 2. The match will start at 9:30 AM IST.
The semi-finals are scheduled for August 30, while the final will be played on September 6 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Duleep Trophy 2026 Schedule
| Stage | Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | East Zone vs North East Zone | August 23, 2026 | Bengaluru |
| Group Stage | North Zone vs West Zone | August 23, 2026 | Bengaluru |
| Playoff – Semi-final 1 | Central Zone vs TBC | August 30, 2026 | Bengaluru |
| Playoff – Semi-final 2 | South Zone vs TBC | August 30, 2026 | Bengaluru |
| Playoff – Final | TBC vs TBC | September 6, 2026 | Chennai |
What are Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s numbers from the Zimbabwe tour?
Sooryavanshi scored 151 runs in three T20Is during the Zimbabwe series. He hit two half-centuries and played an important role in India’s 3-0 series win. His performances also earned him the Player of the Series award.
For now, Indian fans will have to wait to see him back in the blue jersey. His next challenge will be the Duleep Trophy, where he will get a chance to play longer innings and gain more experience in first-class cricket.