Concerns Raised Over Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Vice-Captaincy Appointment

Priyank Panchal, a former captain of Gujarat, has expressed concerns regarding the appointment of 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as the vice-captain for the East Zone in the upcoming Duleep Trophy. Panchal believes that the young cricketer should first acclimate to the demands of red-ball cricket before taking on such responsibilities.

Sooryavanshi, who has played only eight first-class matches, was chosen for the role despite the presence of more experienced players like Abhimanyu Easwaran. His selection followed a successful performance in Zimbabwe, where he was named Player of the Series after scoring 151 runs in three T20 matches.

The East Zone selectors have defended their decision, stating it is part of a long-term development plan for Sooryavanshi. They believe that the experience of serving as vice-captain will aid his growth as a cricketer. The Duleep Trophy is set to commence on August 23, with East Zone facing North-East Zone in the opening match.