Vaibhav Sooryavanshi named Bihar captain at 15, faces biggest challenge yet

Bihar Cricket Association has named 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as their senior team captain for the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. This marks a significant milestone in the young cricketer's already illustrious career, as Sooryavanshi has already made waves in the IPL and international cricket. The Bihar Cricket Association announced a 17-member squad on Friday, with Sooryavanshi taking charge for the opening two matches against Saurashtra on November 14 and Railways on November 16, both to be played in Indore.

Assistant coach Ashok Kumar revealed that regular captain Sakibul Gani's injury has led to Sooryavanshi's appointment, expressing confidence in the teenager's ability to handle the responsibility. This role is not Sooryavanshi's first stint in leadership; he was previously the vice-captain of East Zone for the Duleep Trophy, alongside India wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan, and captained India's Under-19 side during their Youth ODI series against South Africa.

The teenager, who recently returned from India's tour of New Zealand where he scored 45 off just 22 balls in the third T20I, now has the opportunity to showcase his leadership skills at the senior domestic level. However, captaincy comes with its own set of challenges, as even cricket legends such as Sachin Tendulkar have struggled with the pressure. It remains to be seen how Sooryavanshi navigates this new role at such a young age.