Former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta has questioned East Zone's decision to appoint 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as vice-captain for the 2026-27 Duleep Trophy. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Dasgupta said that Vaibhav should establish himself in red-ball cricket before taking on a leadership role.
The Duleep Trophy will begin on August 23, with East Zone taking on North East Zone in the play-off. East Zone announced their squad on July 29, with Ishan Kishan as captain. The squad also includes Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar, Anukul Roy, Abhimanyu Easwaran, and vice-captain Sooryavanshi.
I Don't Agree With This Decision - Deep Dasgupta on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Vice-Captaincy
Deep Dasgupta questioned the decision to appoint Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as East Zone vice-captain ahead of several senior players. He said experienced domestic cricketers like Anukul Roy were better suited for the role, adding that red-ball leadership should come after gaining more first-class experience.
"I don't agree with this decision. There are players in this team, like Anukul, who have been playing for several years. They could have been given that leadership role. I do agree that, despite being just 15 or 16 years old, he is extremely mature. There's no doubt about that. But I don't think there was any need to make this move at this stage, especially in red-ball cricket."
Sooryavanshi is still at the start of his first-class career. He has played eight matches for Bihar and scored 207 runs at an average of 17.25. The left-handed batter is yet to establish himself in red-ball cricket.
Let Him Establish Himself First - Deep Dasgupta Raises Red-Ball Concerns
Deep Dasgupta also said that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has not played enough first-class cricket to become East Zone vice-captain. He stated that the youngster's main focus should remain on improving as a batter.
"It is beyond me, absolutely beyond me, that you make someone who has only recently started playing red-ball cricket, and is still very young, the vice-captain of an East Zone team. He hasn't even established himself in red-ball cricket yet. He doesn't have enough numbers at that level, and he hasn't played many matches either. So, just let him play first. Let him establish himself."
"One good thing is that he's playing red-ball cricket. I've always been worried, especially with a talent like Vaibhav, that he might give up red-ball cricket and focus only on white-ball cricket. So I'm very glad that he's playing red-ball cricket and representing the East Zone. But I was very, very surprised by this decision. I don't agree with it. Let him play first. Let him establish himself."
Abhimanyu Easwaran Misses Out as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Gets Leadership Role
East Zone decided to appoint Ishan Kishan as captain and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as vice-captain. Experienced opener Abhimanyu Easwaran is not included in a leadership role. Easwaran has played more than 100 first-class matches and has previously captained both Bengal and East Zone.
Despite being only 15, Vaibhav already has leadership experience. He served as Bihar's vice-captain during the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season and later captained the India Under-19 team against South Africa after Ayush Mhatre and Vihaan Malhotra suffered injuries.
Vaibhav recently made his T20I debut for India and scored 193 runs in six matches, including two half-centuries. He won the Player of the Series award against Zimbabwe. His best score in a first-class innings is a 93 off 67 balls against Meghalaya in November 2025.
