Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s name has been echoing louder than ever in the cricketing world after India’s series victory over Zimbabwe. His impressive performances have once again brought him into the spotlight, and now the young sensation has added another milestone to his growing list of achievements by being appointed as the vice-captain of East Zone.
While this is undoubtedly a proud moment for the 15-year-old cricketer and his supporters, the decision has also divided opinions. Among those questioning the decision is none other than the ‘Voice of Cricket’, Harsha Bhogle.
Harsha Bhogle Questions Zonal Committee’s Call on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
The Duleep Trophy is set to begin on August 23, 2026, where East Zone will be led by wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, with Sooryavanshi taking up the role of vice-captain. For a 15-year-old cricketer, this is certainly a remarkable achievement and a sign of the trust placed in his abilities.
However, according to Harsha Bhogle, this could also be a stage where Sooryavanshi should focus more on learning and developing his game rather than handling leadership responsibilities at such a young age.
Bhogle said, “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’s concerns cannot be completely ignored, as cricket history has witnessed several young talents who started their careers with tremendous hype and success but struggled to deal with the pressure that came with early fame. Many promising players have found it difficult to maintain consistency once expectations increased, eventually becoming forgotten names in the sport.
That said, East Zone’s decision could also be viewed as a long-term investment in developing a future star. The team management may be aiming to provide Sooryavanshi with valuable exposure and leadership experience at an early stage of his career.
Fans of the young batting sensation will be hoping that this strategy proves successful and that the ‘wonder boy’ continues to entertain cricket lovers with more memorable performances in the Duleep Trophy.
Apart from Ishan Kishan and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, East Zone’s squad for the Duleep Trophy will also feature one of India’s most experienced fast bowlers, Mohammed Shami. His presence adds further strength to an already exciting team lineup.