The East Zone selection committee has defended its decision to appoint 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as vice-captain for the upcoming Duleep Trophy, insisting the move is aimed at preparing the youngster for future leadership responsibilities rather than signalling a change in the team’s hierarchy.
While Ishan Kishan’s appointment as captain came as little surprise, Sooryavanshi’s elevation attracted attention given the presence of seasoned cricketers such as Abhimanyu Easwaran, Mohammed Shami and Mukesh Kumar in the squad.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
The teenage batter has played just eight first-class matches for Bihar, a modest tally compared to Easwaran, who boasts more than 100 first-class appearances and has previously captained Bengal, India A and several representative teams.
Addressing the decision, Manish Vardhan, Jharkhand’s representative on the East Zone selection committee, said the vice-captaincy should not be viewed as an indicator of seniority or the leadership order within the side. Instead, he described it as part of a long-term vision to expose Sooryavanshi to leadership responsibilities at an early stage of his career.
According to Vardhan, selectors believe the experience of working closely with an established captain such as Kishan will help the teenager understand the demands of leading a team and accelerate his development both on and off the field.
The committee also stressed that the squad includes several experienced players who will continue to play key roles in guiding the side. Easwaran, Shami and Mukesh remain integral to East Zone’s campaign, with their experience expected to provide stability during the tournament.
By handing Sooryavanshi the deputy’s role, selectors hope to groom one of Indian cricket’s brightest young prospects for future leadership opportunities. They maintain the decision reflects confidence in his long-term potential rather than diminishing the stature or contributions of the team’s senior professionals.
