Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Erases 57-Year Duleep Trophy Record With Stunning 92-Run Masterclass
BENGALURU: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has rewritten the age record in India’s premier domestic red-ball competition, becoming the youngest player to score a half-century in Duleep Trophy history at 15 years and 157 days. The milestone came during East Zone’s semi-final against Central Zone on August 31 at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1.
The achievement adds another extraordinary chapter to the teenager’s rapid rise and came during an innings that nearly produced an even bigger record.
A stunning 92 after record-breaking fifty
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi attacked from the outset and brought up his fifty from only 42 balls, reaching the landmark with a six off Saransh Jain. According to The Indian Express, he eventually made 92 from 81 deliveries, including seven fours and seven sixes.
The innings ended eight runs short of a maiden first-class century, but the bigger achievement had already been secured. His half-century made him the youngest batter in Duleep Trophy history to reach the landmark.
His 92 also helped East Zone build a strong opening partnership with Abhimanyu Easwaran before Central Zone finally broke through.
The 57-year record finally falls
The previous mark had belonged to Laxman Singh, who scored a fifty in the Duleep Trophy at the age of 16 years and 23 days during the 1969 edition.
That record survived for 57 years before the teenage batter lowered the benchmark by almost a year. Piyush Chawla had previously been among the youngest players to achieve the feat, scoring a half-century at 16 years and 307 days in 2005.
The new record therefore puts Sooryavanshi at the top of a list that has featured several established Indian cricketers.
Another record was within reach
Had Vaibhav Sooryavanshi reached 100, he would have become the youngest centurion in Duleep Trophy history.
That record remains with Sachin Tendulkar, who scored a century in the competition during the 1990-91 season at 17 years and 262 days.
The missed century also means Sooryavanshi was unable to become the second-youngest Indian to score a first-class century. That distinction belongs to Dhruv Pandove, who reached three figures at 14 years and 293 days in the 1988-89 Ranji Trophy season.
A major statement in red-ball cricket
The performance was particularly notable because Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has built much of his reputation through white-ball cricket. His aggressive stroke-making has already made him one of India’s most discussed young batting prospects.
The semi-final innings showed that his attacking instincts can also translate into longer-format cricket. Reaching fifty in 42 deliveries before moving to 92 demonstrated both intent and the ability to sustain pressure against a strong domestic attack.
For East Zone, the contribution came at an important stage of the tournament, with the team battling defending champions Central Zone for a place in the final.
What the record means now
The latest achievement gives Vaibhav Sooryavanshi another age-based landmark to add to his growing career. More importantly, it offers an early sign that he can make an impact outside the shortest formats.
The Duleep Trophy has long served as a proving ground for India’s first-class players, and producing a 92 at just 15 makes Sooryavanshi’s performance particularly striking.
His century may have slipped away, but the teenager leaves the semi-final with a record that had stood since 1969. For Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, that may prove to be only the latest milestone in a career that is moving unusually quickly.
