Vaibhav Sooryavanshi bounces back from batting struggles, claiming two wickets in four deliveries during the Duleep Trophy - WATCH

NEW DELHI: Despite a challenging performance with the bat, 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi showcased his talent in the Duleep Trophy quarter-final, contributing significantly with the ball. Playing for East Zone against North East Zone at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 2 in Bengaluru, Sooryavanshi's bowling prowess shone through as he claimed two wickets in just four deliveries.

In East Zone's first innings, Sooryavanshi faced only six balls, managing to score eight runs before being dismissed by North East Zone's pacer Bishworjit Konthoujam. However, he quickly turned the tide with his bowling, taking his first wicket with just his second delivery in the 28th over. He bowled a well-placed delivery outside off stump, prompting Kishan Lyngdoh to come down the track. The batter misjudged the shot, resulting in a leading edge that was safely caught by substitute fielder Denish Das.

Just three balls later, Sooryavanshi struck again, this time dismissing Imliwati Lemtur. He bowled a good-length delivery around the off stump, which Lemtur attempted to defend but edged to wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan, who made a sharp catch. This impressive display of bowling highlighted Sooryavanshi's potential as a young cricketer.

Former India head coach Rahul Dravid emphasized the importance of patience in nurturing Sooryavanshi's talent. He noted that the young batter requires time and experience in red-ball cricket to fully develop his skills. "With Vaibhav, you've got to be patient. He's only 15 years old, and I have no doubt that with the right opportunities in domestic cricket, he will be able to hold his own in a Test match team," Dravid stated during an interview on JioStar.

Dravid also pointed out the challenges Sooryavanshi may face in balancing his commitments with the Indian team and participating in domestic seasons. "Whether he'll be able to break into the eleven with the guys already performing is a tricky question. His busy schedule with the Indian team could limit his chances to play full domestic seasons," he added.

At just 15, Sooryavanshi has already made significant strides in his cricketing career. He debuted in first-class cricket for Bihar at the age of 12 and has played eight matches, scoring 207 runs at an average of 17.25, including one half-century. His achievements in white-ball cricket are particularly noteworthy, having scored 439 runs at the 2026 U-19 World Cup and an impressive 776 runs in the IPL for Rajasthan Royals, where he won the Orange Cap and MVP award.

Sooryavanshi's senior India debut came in July 2026, where he made an immediate impact in T20Is, scoring 151 runs in three matches against Zimbabwe at a remarkable strike rate of 196.10. His performance earned him the Player of the Series award, further solidifying his status as a rising star in Indian cricket.