15-Year-Old Sooryavanshi Breaks 57-Year Record in Duleep Trophy Semis

Bengaluru: A 15-year-old with a fearless approach and a captain’s knock of immense patience have defined the Duleep Trophy semi-finals, showcasing the depth and diversity of India’s domestic talent. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi announced himself on the grand stage with a record-breaking 92, while South Zone skipper Tilak Varma compiled a resolute unbeaten century to rescue his side from a precarious position.

Sooryavanshi’s Record-Breaking Blitz

In 118 minutes and 81 balls, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi offered a glimpse of the raw talent that has made him one of Indian cricket’s most sought-after prospects. The East Zone opener smashed 92 with seven fours and seven sixes against Central Zone on Day 2 of the semi-final at the BCCI Centre of Excellence .

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 🆚 Yash Thakur

A fascinating battle ball-by-ball💥🔥#DuleepTrophy | #CZvEZ pic.twitter.com/MiEG8YtGCY

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) August 31, 2026

At 15 years and 175 days, Sooryavanshi became the youngest player to score a fifty in the tournament’s history, breaking Central Zone’s Laxman Singh record of 16 years and 23 days, set way back in January 1969 . He reached his half-century off just 42 deliveries with a six over long-on .

The innings was more than just a record. The southpaw’s domination helped East Zone race to 64 in the first 10 overs. His 18 singles were as much a sign of maturity as his seven sixes were of his power . Along with Abhimanyu Easwaran’s 69, Sooryavanshi’s 92 formed the backbone of a 161-run opening stand that helped East Zone reach 266, exactly matching Central Zone’s first-innings total .

However, he was left distraught when another attempt at a maximum landed in Arshad Khan’s hands at deep mid-wicket off Harsh Dubey, leaving him eight runs short of his maiden first-class hundred .

Sooryavanshi’s Second-Innings Contribution

In the chase, Sooryavanshi shelved his usual attacking instincts, adopting a more watchful approach. It took him 21 deliveries to pick up his first boundary, but he tore into a particular Yash Thakur over, hitting him for 4, 6, 4, 4 before the bowler had the final laugh .

His 40 off 43 balls helped East Zone reach 61 before Rajat Patidar‘s sensational running catch from mid-on ended his stay . The partnership with Easwaran laid the platform for East Zone to chase down the target of 159 with four wickets to spare .

East Zone will now play their first Duleep final in almost 14 years .

In the other semi-final, South Zone captain Tilak Varma stood tall with a patient unbeaten 116 to give his side a vital first-innings lead of 90 runs against North Zone .

Walking in at 39 for 2, Varma watched from the other end as South Zone slipped to a precarious 80 for 5 . It was then that he joined forces with Shreyas Gopal, the duo putting on a 175-run stand for the sixth wicket to turn the tables on North Zone .

Hitting his first boundary as late as on the 154th delivery he faced, Varma remained unfazed by another flurry of wickets and saw off the remainder of the day in the company of Kavuri Saiteja . He faced 250 balls and hit nine boundaries in his gritty knock . Gopal contributed 87, falling just short of a deserved hundred .

Varma’s mature knock comes amid reports of a possible inclusion in India’s ODI side ahead of the World Cup next year . The 23-year-old is a regular in India’s T20I team but is yet to leave a mark in the 50-over format.

Both matches remain tightly poised, with South Zone taking a crucial first-innings lead. The performances of Sooryavanshi and Varma have not only shaped their respective semi-finals but have also put the spotlight firmly on India’s rising domestic stars with selectors taking note .

                                               

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