Rising Star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Shines with Ball in Duleep Trophy Clash
BENGALURU: Age is often considered just a number, but for 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, it is a testament to his rapid ascent in Indian cricket. Despite a modest outing with the bat, the East Zone vice-captain proved his versatility during the Duleep Trophy quarter-final against North East Zone at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, showcasing that he is far more than just a power-hitter.
Turning the Tide
Sooryavanshi’s initial time at the crease was brief; he managed only eight runs from six deliveries before being dismissed by North East Zone pacer Bishworjit Konthoujam. However, the youngster refused to let the batting disappointment dictate his day. When handed the ball, he immediately turned the momentum in East Zone’s favor.
In a clinical spell, Sooryavanshi claimed his third first-class wicket in the 28th over. He lured North East Zone’s Kishan Lyngdoh into a mistimed stroke, resulting in a leading edge that was comfortably pouched by substitute fielder Denish Das. Just three balls later, the teen sensation struck again. A sharp delivery around the off-stump forced an outside edge from Imliwati Lemtur, which wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan snared with a swift reaction.
The Dravid Perspective
Sooryavanshi’s meteoric rise—which includes a dominant run in the 2026 U-19 World Cup and a record-breaking IPL season—has drawn attention from the highest levels of the game. Former India head coach Rahul Dravid, while praising the boy’s immense talent, has urged observers to remain patient as the youngster transitions into the grind of red-ball cricket.
“With Vaibhav, you’ve got to be patient,” Dravid noted during his commentary on JioStar. “He’s only 15. From what I’ve seen, I have no doubt that given the opportunity to play domestic cricket and a few seasons of red-ball cricket, he will be able to hold his own in a Test match team.”
Dravid did, however, highlight the logistical hurdles facing modern wunderkinds. With Sooryavanshi already a staple in India’s white-ball setups—following a Player of the Series performance in his T20I debut against Zimbabwe—the former coach worries about the physical and scheduling demands on the youngster. “Whether he’ll have the time to play two full seasons of domestic cricket because he’ll be so busy playing for India in the white-ball format, I’m not sure,” Dravid added.
A Rapid Career Trajectory
The scope of Sooryavanshi’s achievements is staggering. Making his first-class debut for Bihar at the tender age of 12, he has since evolved into a global T20 force. His 2026 IPL campaign saw him claim the Orange Cap and MVP honors, amassing 776 runs with a staggering strike rate of 237.31 and 72 sixes.
While his red-ball statistics—207 runs in eight matches—are still a work in progress, his performance in the Duleep Trophy highlights a player who is rapidly learning to contribute to the team’s success through multiple facets of the game. Whether he develops into a long-format specialist or remains a white-ball globetrotter, one thing is certain: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is a name that will command attention for years to come.
