Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Sooryavanshi's Red-Ball Audition Leads Duleep Trophy Quarterfinal
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is a 15-year-old cricketer known for T20 cricket.
He now has a chance to show that he can also play longer red-ball matches.
East Zone will play North East Zone in the Duleep Trophy.
Sooryavanshi has not yet made many runs in First-Class cricket.
His best score is 93, and his average is above 17.
A good performance could help him gain confidence and be considered for India A. India A may play two four-day matches against Australia A in Puducherry.
The tournament also includes another quarterfinal between North Zone and West Zone.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will represent East Zone against the inexperienced North East Zone in a Bengaluru quarterfinal starting Sunday.
The 15-year-old has played 12 First-Class innings for Bihar, recording a highest score of 93 and an average above 17.
East Zone also includes Ishan Kishan, Mohammed Shami, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Kumar Kushagra, Shahbaz Ahmed and Mukesh Kumar.
The Duleep Trophy is being viewed mainly as an India A audition ahead of two Australia A four-day matches in Puducherry.
A separate North Zone-West Zone quarterfinal features Kanhaiya Wadhawan and Ruturaj Gaikwad, while Sarfaraz Khan is unavailable on national duty in Sri Lanka.
- Who
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and East Zone will face North East Zone; other prominent players include Ishan Kishan, Mohammed Shami and Ruturaj Gaikwad.
- What
- The Duleep Trophy quarterfinals will give players an opportunity to gain red-ball experience and seek consideration for India A.
- When
- The East Zone-North East Zone quarterfinal starts Sunday, with the semifinal scheduled from August 30; Australia A matches are planned for late September and early October.
- Where
- The East Zone-North East Zone match and its possible semifinal will be played at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru; the Australia A matches are planned for Puducherry.
- Why
- Sooryavanshi is seeking to improve his First-Class record, while other players are competing for possible India A opportunities.
Duleep Trophy as an India A pathway
Duleep Trophy as a reduced Test-selection platform
Purpose of the tournament
Duleep Trophy as an India A pathway
The matches give Sooryavanshi and other India A hopefuls a chance to demonstrate their red-ball skills before possible Australia A selection.
Duleep Trophy as a reduced Test-selection platform
The reports say most selected players are not in contention for the Test team, making the tournament less important as a direct national selection pathway.
Sooryavanshi's opportunity
Duleep Trophy as an India A pathway
A strong performance against North East Zone, followed by a possible semifinal, could improve his confidence and encourage selectors to consider him for Australia A.
Duleep Trophy as a reduced Test-selection platform
His First-Class record remains modest, with a highest score of 93 and an average above 17, so the tournament may not by itself establish his red-ball credentials.
Duleep Trophy format
Duleep Trophy as an India A pathway
The return to zonal teams gives players a knockout competition and opportunities to play multiple matches.
Duleep Trophy as a reduced Test-selection platform
The reports contrast the zonal format with the former India Red, Blue and Green system, whose teams were selected more directly around players viewed as having top-level futures.
- Sooryavanshi's age
- 15
- First-Class record
- 12 innings in eight matches for Bihar
- First-Class highest score
- 93
- First-Class average
- Above 17
- East Zone opponent
- North East Zone
- Potential selection opportunity
- Two four-day matches between India A and Australia A
- Australia A match location and period
- Puducherry, during late September and early October
