Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s return to red-ball cricket lasted just six deliveries on Sunday. The 15-year-old East Zone vice-captain was dismissed for 8 runs in the opening quarter-final
of the Duleep Trophy against North East Zone at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. North East Zone won the toss and elected to field first. Sooryavanshi opened the innings alongside the experienced Abhimanyu Easwaran under the leadership of Ishan Kishan. All eyes were on the left-handed prodigy, who has taken the white-ball world by storm in recent months with explosive performances in the IPL and for India in T20Is.
He faced the new ball in the second over against Manipur right-arm seamer Bishworjit Konthoujam. After a couple of quiet deliveries, Sooryavanshi announced himself with two consecutive boundaries. The first was a neat clip through mid-wicket and the next a punch through the covers. He started looking in dangerous touch but it didn’t last as Konthoujam adjusted his line and length, coming around the wicket. On the final ball of the over, he bowled a good-length delivery just outside off that cramped the teenager for room. Sooryavanshi tried to play it on the up or cut it away but only managed a thick edge. Joseph Lalthankhuma completed a sharp catch at gully. Sooryavanshi was dismissed for 8 off 6 balls.
Sooryavanshi falls cheaply as East Zone lose early wickets
East Zone lost both their openers cheaply after Easwaran was trapped lbw for 15, leaving the side in early trouble. The early breakthroughs have put pressure on the middle order. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has had limited first-class experience. He has played just eight matches for Bihar scoring 207 runs at an average of 17.25, with a highest score of 93. He was given the vice-captaincy for the tournament. The decision to give him that role already sparked debate on social media with many who felt the teenager needed more time to settle into the longer format before taking on leadership responsibilities. He has been dismissed for a low score in the first innings and would be keen to bounce back.
Vaibhav has had a great year in white ball cricket. He topped the run charts in IPL 2026 and made his debut for India in T20I. He was also part of India A. Former India coach Rahul Dravid had earlier urged patience with the youngster saying that he is still only 15 and has a long road ahead in developing his red-ball game. The Duleep Trophy offers Sooryavanshi the chance of multiple matches if East Zone progress to the next round, followed by a longer season in the Ranji Trophy. East Zone will look to rebuild through the middle order as the opening day of the 2026-27 domestic season continues in Bengaluru.
