15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi got his first taste of captaincy as he became the stand-in skipper of the East Zone team in the ongoing Duleep Trophy 2026 first semi-final against Central Zone.

Sooryavanshi was named the vice-captain of the East Zone for Duleep Trophy 2026 amidst huge criticism for the move. He managed only 8 runs in the first game for East Zone, as they defeated the North East Zone, but was effective with the ball.

Meanwhile, Sooryavanshi assumed the East Zone captaincy in the 19th over of the Central Zone innings after regular captain Ishan Kishan suffered an injury while keeping wicket. Kishan got struck on the right wrist, and team physiotherapists treated him right away.

Kishan’s Jharkhand teammate Kumar Kushagra took over the keeping duties, and with Kishan off the field, Sooryavanshi assumed leadership of the side, marking his first stint as captain of a senior men’s team.

Kishan eventually returned to the field with his hand strapped after leaving for additional evaluation.

While the decision to name Sooryavanshi as East Zone’s vice-captain had sparked debate, the selectors stood by their decision, explaining that the move was to aid in Sooryavanshi’s long-term development rather than simply address the team’s immediate needs.

“We are not thinking about the present alone,” Jharkhand selector Manish Vardhan, who is part of the East Zone selection committee, had told Cricinfo.

Sooryavanshi's elevation occurred very early in his first-class career. Sooryavanshi will play his second Duleep Trophy match against the Central Zone. Since his Ranji Trophy debut in early 2024, he has played nine first-class games.

Sooryavanshi has scored 215 runs in nine matches at an average of 16.53, with one half-century to his name.

Earlier in the semi-final, Kishan had won the toss and elected to field.