Indian cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle has raised concerns over the decision to appoint teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as the vice-captain of the East Zone team for the upcoming 2026-27 Duleep Trophy season.
The East Zone selectors surprised many by naming the 15-year-old as deputy to captain Ishan Kishan, handing the young batter a significant leadership role despite his limited experience in red-ball cricket. While several fans and cricket experts hailed the move as a show of confidence in one of India’s brightest young talents, others questioned whether the decision had come too early.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Sooryavanshi’s inclusion in the East Zone squad itself marked another milestone in his rapid rise through the ranks, following impressive performances in the Indian Premier League and international cricket. However, the Duleep Trophy is expected to provide the youngster with a valuable opportunity to gain experience in the longer format, where he is still developing his game.
Bhogle expressed his reservations in a post on X, pointing to Sooryavanshi’s modest first-class record and suggesting that the teenager is still at the early stages of his red-ball journey.
“I wonder what the thinking is behind making Sooryavanshi vice-captain of a senior red-ball team. He has played 12 innings for 207 runs @ 17.25. His talent is extraordinary, but there is a learning curve, and he is at the bottom of it in red-ball cricket,” Bhogle wrote.
Despite the criticism, the selectors’ decision reflects their faith in Sooryavanshi’s leadership potential and long-term future. The upcoming Duleep Trophy will now provide the young cricketer with an opportunity to justify the confidence placed in him while continuing his development in the traditional format of the game.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)
