Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, India's 15-year-old batting sensation, steps into a new kind of spotlight as the Duleep Trophy 2025 gets underway on 23 August — one that demands patience, technique, and now, leadership. Named vice-captain of the Ishan Kishan-led East Zone side, Sooryavanshi faces arguably his sternest examination yet: four-day red-ball cricket against seasoned domestic campaigners.

Sooryavanshi's Red-Ball Challenge

The teenager's first-class record invites scrutiny. In eight FC matches, Sooryavanshi has accumulated 207 runs at an average of 17.25, with a career-best of 93 against Meghalaya. Those numbers stand in sharp contrast to the brilliance he has displayed in the IPL, the India U19 setup, and most recently at senior international level — where he was named Player of the Series on India's T20I tour to Zimbabwe, scoring two half-centuries. His vice-captaincy role in a squad that includes Abhimanyu Easwaran, Mohammed Shami, and Mukesh Kumar adds a layer of expectation that goes beyond runs alone.

Fast-Bowling Depth Under the Scanner

The Duleep Trophy also serves as a critical audition for India's pace pipeline. With Jasprit Bumrah being carefully managed through injury concerns, the void he leaves in the Test setup is considerable. Emerging quicks Auqib Nabi and Gurnoor Brar have shown promise but are yet to be tested at Test level. Both are currently part of the Indian touring party in Sri Lanka for the two-match Test series, but selectors may consider releasing them to their domestic squads — particularly if they remain on the bench, as they did during the first Test in Galle.

A separate subplot involves Arshdeep Singh, who offers India something they have lacked for years: a left-arm fast-bowling option at Test level. Should Arshdeep translate his white-ball excellence into the longer format, it could meaningfully alter India's pace attack composition.

Mohammed Shami's Comeback Bid

Mohammed Shami continues to press his case with characteristic defiance. The veteran pacer has not played a Test for India in over three years, yet he remains active and productive on the domestic circuit — claiming 37 wickets in the last Ranji Trophy. Shami has been publicly vocal about his non-selection across all three formats, with his last appearance in Indian colours coming at the 2025 Champions Trophy. His Duleep Trophy outing will be closely watched by selectors.

Other Names to Watch

Ruturaj Gaikwad eyes a potential opening berth in the Test side as KL Rahul's tenure at the top draws closer to its end. Prithvi Shaw, who showed strong form for Maharashtra in the recent Ranji Trophy, will look to build on that momentum. Rajat Patidar, a two-time IPL-winning captain, has not come close to a Test cap since the 2024 home series against England. Ravichandran Smaran brings both talent and leadership potential, while Sarfaraz Khan's anticipated return from Sri Lanka adds further intrigue to the batting conversation.

Tournament Format and Schedule

The Duleep Trophy 2025 runs from 23 August to 9 September, featuring six teams in a regional format. East Zone open against North East Zone, while North Zone face West Zone in the quarterfinals. Central Zone and South Zone enter at the semifinal stage. The final is scheduled from 6 September onwards in Chennai.