Beyond T20 hype: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi now steps into Indian cricket's toughest audition

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was named vice-captain of the Ishan Kishan-led East Zone squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy.

The 15-year-old scored 151 runs in three T20Is against Zimbabwe, earning Player of the Series as India swept 3-0.

Sooryavanshi climbed 230 places in the ICC T20I batting rankings into the top 50 after his international debut.

He is expected to debut in the Duleep Trophy on August 23, his first elite red-ball audition, likely opening with Abhimanyu Easwaran.

The selection signals BCCI's active preparation for Sooryavanshi to be an all-format player, with Test cricket as his stated ultimate ambition.