Teenager Vaibhav Suryavanshi Becomes Youngest Ranji Vice‑Captain in Bihar
When Vaibhav Suryavanshi, born 2011-03-27, was named vice‑captain of the Bihar Ranji Trophy side for the opening two matches of the 2025‑26 season, the cricket world collectively raised an eyebrow.
The Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) announced the move on Sunday, October 13, 2025, just two days before the Plate Group opener at Moin-ul-Haq Stadium in Patna. Suryavanshi, only 14, will sit beside 29‑year‑old skipper Sakibul Gani as the team tries to claw its way out of a winless 2024‑25 campaign.
How Vaibhav Suryavanshi Stormed into the Spotlight
The prodigy first burst onto the national scene during India Under‑19’s tour of Australia in September 2025. In a four‑day Youth Test at Allan Border Field, Brisbane, he smashed a 78‑ball century, finishing the series with 133 runs in three innings – second‑most overall, according to ESPNcricinfo. The Hindustan Times even crowned him the highest run‑getter of that series.
It wasn’t just the red‑ball format. In the accompanying Youth ODIs, the left‑handed batter piled up 124 runs, highlighted by a 68‑ball, 70‑run knock in the second game. The next month, on England’s New Road, Worcester, he recorded 143 runs in a Youth ODI, which ESPNcricinfo labeled the fastest century in youth one‑day history. Across the five‑match England leg, he amassed 355 runs at a blistering strike‑rate of 174.01, again topping the run charts.
Domestic milestones piled up quickly. He debuted in the Ranji Trophy at age 12 during the 2023‑24 season, becoming the second‑youngest ever to wear Bihar’s colors. In March 2025, the Rajasthan Royals secured his services for INR 1.1 crore – making him the youngest IPL contract holder at 13. A month later, he smashed a 35‑ball century against Gujarat Titans, etching his name as the youngest player in men's cricket to score a T20 hundred and delivering the second‑fastest IPL century on record, per NDTV Sports.
Bihar’s Ranji Campaign: From Winless to Rebuilding
The BCA’s senior side stumbled through the 2024‑25 Ranji Trophy, failing to register a single victory and consequently slipping into the Plate Group. ESPNcricinfo’s season review highlighted a combination of inexperienced bowling and an inability to chase modest targets as key factors. The relegation forced a strategic overhaul, with the BCCI stepping in to tighten selection procedures.
Under the new directive, the BCA was instructed to add an ad‑hoc selector to its two‑member panel and to form a full five‑member committee promptly. The move was meant to bring fresh eyes after a season that left fans in Patna scrolling through scorecards with nothing but losses.
Now, with Suryavanshi’s appointment, the board hopes a dash of youthful audacity can spark a cultural shift. The inaugural match against Arunachal Pradesh is slated for October 15 at the Patna venue, followed by a trip to Nadiad, Gujarat, to face Manipur on October 25.
The Vice‑Captaincy Decision: Inside the BCA’s Rationale
Speaking to reporters after the squad release, Bihar Cricket Association president Rajesh Kumar said the move was “driven by performance, not publicity.” He noted that Suryavanshi’s consistency against overseas youth sides demonstrated a temperament beyond his years.
“He’s handled pressure in Brisbane and Worcester. That experience, albeit at the junior level, translates into leadership qualities we need,” Kumar added. The BCA also cited the teenager’s ability to field in key positions and his knack for rotating the strike in limited‑overs formats – attributes that could help steady the senior side’s batting order.
Critics, however, argue that appointing a 14‑year‑old to a leadership role may unsettle senior players. Former Bihar captain Anil Sharma warned that “experience still matters in the 90‑minute grind of a four‑day game.” The BCA countered that a blend of youth and experience could foster a new team culture, especially after the demotion.
What the Cricket World is Saying
Across social media, reactions ranged from awe to skepticism. A trending hashtag #SuryavanshiViceCaptain trended on Indian Twitter, with former India opener Virender Sehwag praising the prodigy’s “raw talent and fearless mindset.” Meanwhile, veteran commentator Harsha Bhogle cautioned that “the jump from Under‑19 to senior Ranji leadership is massive; the BCA must protect the youngster from undue pressure.”
Internationally, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) released a brief note noting that “India’s youth system continues to produce remarkable talent, as evidenced by Vaibhav’s rapid ascent.” Analysts at Cricbuzz highlighted the strategic element: a youthful vice‑captain could force opponents to rethink match‑up plans, especially in field‑setting.
Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities for Bihar
The immediate task is simple: avoid another defeat and, if possible, notch a win in the Plate Group. Statistically, Bihar’s batting average in the previous season lingered around 160 per innings, while their bowling strike‑rate hovered above 45 – numbers that need urgent correction.
For Suryavanshi, the challenge is two‑fold. He must continue delivering runs at the senior level while learning to manage a squad that includes players in their late twenties and early thirties. The BCA has arranged mentorship sessions with senior Indian cricketers, including Sanju Samson of the Rajasthan Royals, to smooth the transition.
On a broader scale, the BCA hopes that this bold experiment will attract sponsor interest and revive fan engagement in Bihar—a state where cricket infrastructure has lagged behind neighboring regions. A successful campaign could pave the way for a return to the Elite Group, restoring pride to Patna’s cricketing community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Bihar Cricket Association choose a 14‑year‑old as vice‑captain?
The BCA cited Suryavanshi’s outstanding performances for India Under‑19s, especially his centuries in Australia and England, as evidence of a mature mindset and leadership potential that could energize a struggling senior side.
How does this appointment affect Bihar’s chances in the Plate Group?
While a single player can’t turn fortunes overnight, Suryavanshi’s aggression and field‑placement ideas may tighten the team’s batting order and boost morale, giving Bihar a realistic shot at its first win after a winless 2024‑25 season.
What are the BCCI’s recent directives to the Bihar Cricket Association?
The BCCI ordered the BCA to add an ad‑hoc selector to its existing two‑member panel and to form a full five‑member selection committee promptly, aiming to professionalise player selection after the previous season’s poor results.
When and where will Bihar play its first two Ranji matches?
The season opens on October 15, 2025, at Moin-ul-Haq Stadium in Patna against Arunachal Pradesh, followed by a match against Manipur at Nadiad Cricket Stadium, Gujarat, starting October 25, 2025.
What records does Vaibhav Suryavanshi hold in Indian cricket?
He is the youngest Ranji vice‑captain, the youngest IPL contract holder at 13, and the youngest player to score a T20 century in men’s cricket at 14, with a 35‑ball hundred for the Rajasthan Royals.
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