Ranji Trophy: Vaibhav Suryavanshi Appointed Bihar’s Vice-Captain

In a remarkable move, 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi has been appointed as the vice-captain of the Bihar cricket team for the opening two matches of the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy season, which begins on October 15. This appointment makes him the youngest player in the history of the Ranji Trophy to assume a leadership position.

Suryavanshi will serve under the guidance of captain Sakibul Gani as Bihar takes on Arunachal Pradesh in the Plate League opener at Patna’s Moin-ul-Haq Stadium. The decision highlights the confidence that the Bihar Cricket Association has in his leadership abilities despite his tender age.

A Rapidly Rising Cricketing Career

Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s cricketing journey has been extraordinary and record-breaking. He made his Ranji Trophy debut at just 12 years old during the 2023–24 season, establishing himself as one of the youngest talents in Indian cricket. By the age of 13, he became the youngest cricketer to secure an Indian Premier League (IPL) contract, being signed by the Rajasthan Royals.

Adding to his list of achievements, Suryavanshi became the youngest male cricketer to score a T20 century at the age of 14, achieving this milestone in only 35 balls against Gujarat Titans. He has also represented India at the Under-19 level, participating in tours of England and Australia, which has contributed significantly to his development as a promising young cricketer.

Leadership Potential Amidst Early Challenges

Despite his impressive accomplishments, Suryavanshi’s experience in first-class cricket remains limited. He has played only five matches so far, scoring 100 runs across 10 innings, with a highest individual score of 41. Nonetheless, his appointment as vice-captain reflects both his rapid rise in Indian cricket and the trust the Bihar Cricket Association places in his leadership potential.

It is worth noting that his participation in the entire Ranji season could be restricted due to a possible selection in India’s Under-19 World Cup squad in early 2026.

The Bihar squad for this season also features key players such as Piyush Kumar Singh, Bhaskar Dubey, Arnav Kishor, Ayush Loharuka, Bipin Saurabh, and others, with Suryavanshi’s leadership adding youthful energy and potential to the team.