Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Duleep Trophy debut innings lasted only six deliveries after the East Zone vice-captain was undone by North East Zone pacer Bishworjit Konthoujam on the first day of their encounter BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 2 in Bengaluru on Sunday.
Having impressed one and all in limited-overs cricket, Sooryavanshi was named in the Duleep Trophy to give the 15-year-old some red-ball game time. Sooryavanshi’s selection in the Duleep Trophy marks a significant milestone in the youngster’s career after his rapid rise in the last two years.
Known for his hard-hitting approach from the onset, Sooryavanshi started in his aggressive manner, smashing Manipuri pacer Konthoujam for a couple of boundaries in the second over. However, Sooryavanshi’s innings was cut short when the left-hander edged a rising delivery off Konthoujam.
Joseph Lalthankhuma took Sooryavanshi’s catch at the third slip.
Vaibhan Sooryavanshi’s rapid rise in cricket
Sooryavanshi came into limelight during the 2025 season of Indian Premier League (IPL) when he became the youngest centurion in the tournament while playing for Rajasthan Royals. Since then there was no looking back for Sooryavanshi as he smashed hundreds in six different countries with the Indian U-19 side. His 175 in the U-19 World Cup final was a statement.
In IPL 2026, Sooryavanshi put the likes of Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli behind to walk away as the youngest to win the Orange Cap with 776 runs, including two consecutive 80-plus scores in the play-offs. He was subsequently named in the India A side, impressing all with a record-breaking 94 off just 29 balls against Sri Lanka A in Tri-Nation A-Series Final.
He finally made his international debut at the age of 15 against England. The southpaw found his mojo in the tour to Zimbabwe, topping the run-charts with 151 runs with two fifties at a strike rate of 196.10. Before this Duleep Trophy game, Sooryavanshi played just eight first-class matches.
Earlier, North East Zone captain Rongsen Jonathan won the toss an opted to field against East Zone, studded with stars. Led by India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, East Zone consists the likes of Sooryavanshi, Shahbaz Ahmed, veteran Mohammed Shami and Mukesh Kumar among notable ones.
East Zone vs North East Zone playing XIs
North East Zone: Rongsen Jonathan(c), Kishan Lyngdoh, Ashish Thapa, Arpit Subash Bhatewara(w), Kangabam Priyojit Singh, Joseph Lalthankhuma, Pheiroijam Jotin, Akash Choudhary, Imliwati Lemtur, Bishworjit Konthoujam, Techi Neri
East Zone: Ishan Kishan (w/c), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Kumar Kushagra, Sudip Kumar Gharami, Virat Singh, Anukul Roy, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar, Abhijit K Sarkar