Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Named East Zone Vice‑Captain as Ishan Kishan Leads Duleep Trophy Squad
The Board of Control for Cricket in India announced the East Zone squad for the 2026‑27 Duleep Trophy, which begins on 23 August 2026 at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Wicket‑keeper‑batter Ishan Kishan was appointed captain, while 15‑year‑old left‑hander Vaibhav Sooryavanshi received the vice‑captaincy.
The 15‑member squad also features veteran pacer Mohammed Shami, fast bowler Mukesh Kumar, experienced batsman Abhimanyu Easwaran and several other domestic regulars such as Shahbaz Ahmed, Anukul Roy and Kumar Kushagra.
Sooryavanshi earned the role after a breakthrough season in white‑ball cricket, highlighted by a Player‑of‑the‑Series award in the three‑match T20I series against Zimbabwe, where he scored 151 runs at 50.33 average. He has limited first‑class experience, having played eight matches, scoring 207 runs at an average of 17.25. His appointment has attracted both praise for his talent and scrutiny over his red‑ball credentials.
Entities: Abhimanyu Easwaran · Duleep Trophy · East Zone · East Zone (cricket team) · Ishan Kishan · Mohammed Shami · Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 9 SOURCES] East Zone squad includes veteran pacer Mohammed Shami. (multiple)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The 2026 Duleep Trophy will start on 23 August 2026 in Bengaluru. (Tournament schedule)
- [● 3 SOURCES] East Zone will face North East Zone in the quarter‑final of the Duleep Trophy. (Tournament schedule)
- [● 10 SOURCES] Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was named vice‑captain of East Zone for the Duleep Trophy 2026‑27. (multiple)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Ishan Kishan was appointed captain of East Zone for the 2026 Duleep Trophy. (East Zone squad announcement)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made his first‑class debut for Bihar at 12 years 284 days old, the youngest Indian debutant since 1986. (Player biography)
- [● 8 SOURCES] Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored 151 runs in three T20I matches against Zimbabwe at an average of 50.33 and was Player of the Series. (multiple)
- [● 6 SOURCES] Abhimanyu Easwaran is included in the East Zone Duleep Trophy squad. (multiple)
- [● 9 SOURCES] Ishan Kishan was appointed captain of East Zone for the Duleep Trophy 2026‑27. (multiple)
- [● 8 SOURCES] Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has played eight first‑class matches, scoring 207 runs at an average of 17.25. (multiple)
- [● 9 SOURCES] The Duleep Trophy 2026‑27 starts on 23 August 2026 in Bengaluru. (multiple)
- [● 5 SOURCES] The East Zone squad consists of 15 members. (multiple)