Why did East Zone name 15-year-old Sooryavanshi vice-captain?
East Zone named 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi vice-captain for the Duleep Trophy to develop his leadership skills under Ishan Kishan.
East Zone selectors appointed 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as vice-captain for the Duleep Trophy under captain Ishan Kishan. It's a deliberate bet on early leadership exposure: they're betting long-term development beats short-term experience. According to selector Pravanjan Mullick, the move prioritizes growth and responsibility over immediate results.
They passed over Abhimanyu Easwaran and other domestic veterans to fast-track Sooryavanshi despite his limited senior-level captaincy experience. He joins a 15-member squad that also includes Mohammed Shami and sits at the edge of a path that's moved remarkably fast — from strong IPL performances with Rajasthan Royals to this.
Ravichandran Ashwin had already flagged him for his handling of short-pitched deliveries, comparing him to a young Ricky Ponting. The appointment acknowledges the comparison and the hype, and tests whether a teenager can grow into leadership while still learning the game at the highest domestic level.
CricHubb Take
The real question: can a 15-year-old absorb captaincy lessons while he's still figuring out Test cricket itself? If he stumbles, the board's patience gets tested. If he thrives, India just found its next long-term captain.