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Bengaluru: Ahead of the Duleep Trophy, which begins on August 23 among the zonal teams, a decision taken by the selectors has become a major talking point after remarks made by former Gujarat captain Priyank Panchal. The appointment of 15-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi as vice-captain of the East Zone team has raised several questions.
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Panchal believes the selectors have rushed their decision regarding Vaibhav. According to him, handing such a young player a leadership role could create unnecessary pressure. “Let him first play enough red-ball cricket. He is still learning the format and should be allowed to develop naturally before being burdened with leadership responsibilities,” Panchal said.
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Ishan Kishan has been named captain of the East Zone side, while Vaibhav has been appointed his deputy. Interestingly, the Bihar teenager has played only eight first-class matches so far. Even more surprising is the fact that experienced batter Abhimanyu Easwaran, who has featured in 113 first-class matches, is part of the same squad but was overlooked for the vice-captaincy.
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Panchal’s comments have sparked a debate on social media. Several former cricketers and fans believe Vaibhav should first establish himself in domestic red-ball cricket before being entrusted with leadership responsibilities.
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Selectors Defend Their Decision
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However, the East Zone Selection Committee has strongly defended its decision. Former Jharkhand cricketer Manish Bardhan, a member of the selection panel, told a leading website that the decision was made with a long-term vision rather than just the current tournament.
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“We never think only about the present. A vice-captain gets the opportunity to work closely with the captain and understand the team environment better. We want Vaibhav to remain closely connected with the team because that will help in his overall cricketing development. He is an exceptionally talented player and is maturing consistently. This responsibility is also a part of his growth process,” Bardhan explained.
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Duleep Trophy to Continue Until September 10
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The Duleep Trophy will be played in Bengaluru from August 23 to September 10. East Zone will begin its campaign with a four-day match against North-East Zone. Meanwhile, West Zone will face North Zone in the other quarter-final. The winners of these two matches will meet South Zone and Central Zone respectively in the semi-finals on August 30. The five-day final will begin on September 5.
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