Archive · 7 Aug 2026
Former Batter Questions Sooryavanshi's East Zone Vice-Captain Role
A famous Indian cricketer named Priyank Panchal is upset about a team decision.
The people who choose cricket teams made a 15-year-old boy, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the vice-captain.
That means he would be second-in-command for his team, called East Zone.
His team will play in a big tournament called the Duleep Trophy.
Panchal says this decision was not a good idea.
He thinks Sooryavanshi has not played enough big matches yet.
Sooryavanshi has only played eight First-Class matches so far.
Still, he is very talented and recently became the youngest player ever to represent India.
Panchal thinks the selectors should not rush such a young player into leadership.
Domestic batting great Priyank Panchal slammed East Zone selectors for naming Vaibhav Sooryavanshi vice-captain for the Duleep Trophy.
The 15-year-old Sooryavanshi was appointed deputy to captain Ishan Kishan, despite being only eight matches into his First-Class career.
Sooryavanshi is the only player from Bihar in the East Zone squad, which includes Mohammad Shami, Mukesh Kumar and Abhimanyu Easwaran.
The Bihar prodigy recently became India's youngest-ever international player during the T20I tour to England.
The 2026-27 season-opening Duleep Trophy begins August 23 in Bengaluru.
- Who
- Priyank Panchal, a domestic batting great, criticized East Zone selectors; the appointment concerned Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan, and squad members Mohammad Shami, Mukesh Kumar and Abhimanyu Easwaran.
- What
- Criticism of the decision to appoint Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as East Zone vice-captain for the Duleep Trophy.
- When
- The squad was announced last week; the Duleep Trophy starts August 23.
- Where
- Bengaluru, where the season-opening Duleep Trophy begins.
- Why
- Panchal called the elevation avoidable because Sooryavanshi remains inexperienced on the First-Class circuit.
Supporters of the Appointment
Critics of the Appointment
Vice-captaincy for a 15-year-old
Supporters of the Appointment
Sooryavanshi earned recognition by becoming India's youngest-ever international player and winning the Player of the Series award in Zimbabwe.
Critics of the Appointment
Priyank Panchal argued the elevation was avoidable because Sooryavanshi is just eight matches into his First-Class career and remains inexperienced.
- Tournament
- Duleep Trophy (2026-27 season opener)
- Start date
- August 23
- Venue
- Bengaluru
- East Zone captain
- Ishan Kishan
- East Zone vice-captain
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
- Vice-captain's age
- 15
- First-Class matches played
- Eight
- Notable squad members
- Mohammad Shami, Mukesh Kumar, Abhimanyu Easwaran