1 September 2026 (Navroze Bureau) : Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi emerged as the central attraction of the Duleep Trophy semifinal at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru after producing a stunning 92-run knock for East Zone against Central Zone.
The 15-year-old’s fearless batting not only changed the complexion of the contest but also saw him rewrite a 57-year-old Duleep Trophy record.
Sooryavanshi Falls Eight Runs Short of Century
Sooryavanshi smashed 92 runs off 81 balls, striking seven fours and seven sixes in an explosive innings that lasted 118 minutes.
He attacked the Central Zone bowling from the outset and helped East Zone match Central’s first-innings total of 266. His innings ended just eight runs short of a century when he was dismissed by Harsh Dubey.
Youngest Ever Duleep Trophy Half-Centurion
The innings also made Sooryavanshi the youngest player to score a half-century in Duleep Trophy history.
At 15 years and 157 days, he broke the previous record held by Laxman Singh, who had scored a fifty at the age of 16 years and 23 days in 1969.
161-Run Opening Partnership
Sooryavanshi’s attacking approach was complemented by the experience of Abhimanyu Easwaran.
The pair put together a remarkable 161-run opening partnership. While Sooryavanshi attacked the bowlers, Easwaran played the anchoring role and contributed 69 runs from 106 balls.
A Statement in Red-Ball Cricket
The performance was particularly significant because Sooryavanshi is already widely regarded as one of India’s most exciting young batting prospects.
His aggressive strokeplay in a first-class match showed that his attacking instincts can translate into red-ball cricket, even against experienced domestic bowlers.
Surprise Captaincy Cameo
Sooryavanshi’s semifinal involvement went beyond his batting.
East Zone captain Ishan Kishan was forced to leave the field after suffering a blow to his right wrist. Sooryavanshi then briefly took charge of the side for around an hour.
During his captaincy stint, he also made a successful DRS call that resulted in the dismissal of Aryan Juyal. Kishan later returned to the field and resumed leadership duties.
Central Zone Fight Back
Despite Sooryavanshi’s heroics, East Zone could not secure a first-innings lead.
Central Zone’s bowlers fought back strongly, with Harsh Dubey taking four wickets, while Yash Thakur and Aryan Pandey claimed three each. East Zone were eventually bowled out for 266, exactly matching Central’s first-innings score.
Mukesh Kumar and Shami Put East Ahead
East Zone’s bowlers then struck back in Central Zone’s second innings.
Mukesh Kumar claimed two wickets, while Mohammed Shami also picked up a wicket as Central slipped to 45/3 at the close of play.
The dismissal of captain Rajat Patidar gave East Zone further momentum heading into the next phase of the semifinal.
Centre of Excellence Becomes the Stage
The BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru has provided the setting for both Duleep Trophy semifinals.
With Sooryavanshi attracting significant attention, the semifinal has become another important stage in the teenager’s rapid rise through Indian cricket.
A Teenager Under the Spotlight
The focus on Sooryavanshi reflects the growing expectations surrounding his career.
At just 15, he has already produced a record-breaking Duleep Trophy performance, handled a brief leadership responsibility and shown the ability to take on experienced bowlers in first-class cricket.
His 92 may have fallen short of three figures, but it has further strengthened his reputation as a player to watch in Indian cricket.