In a gripping match during the Duleep Trophy, 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi once again found himself falling short of a century, scoring 92 runs for East Zone against Central Zone. This latest performance adds to a growing list of near-misses, marking the seventh time he has been dismissed in the 90s since November 2025.
On the opening day, Central Zone set a competitive total of 266 runs. In response, Sooryavanshi got East Zone off to a brisk start, showcasing his talent and potential. He was given a second chance when Yash Rathod dropped a catch at point off Saransh Jain, just before reaching his fifty. Sooryavanshi capitalized on this opportunity, completing his half-century in just 42 balls. His achievement made him the youngest player to score a fifty in the history of the Duleep Trophy, breaking a record previously held by Laxman Singh.
Despite his impressive innings, Sooryavanshi's dismissal came as a disappointment, as he attempted to hit Harsh Dubey for a six, becoming the first wicket to fall with East Zone at 161 runs. His opening partner, Abhimanyu Easwaran, contributed a solid 69 runs, yet Central Zone's bowlers struck back, reducing East Zone to 260 for 8, leaving them trailing by six runs.
Sooryavanshi's recent performance is a part of a frustrating trend; he has now been dismissed in the 90s on seven occasions, all occurring within a span of nine months. His previous dismissals include scores of 93 against Meghalaya in the Ranji Trophy, 96 against Scotland U19 in a warm-up match for the U19 World Cup, and several near-centuries in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Each time, his aggressive batting style has led to his downfall, as he often attempts to accelerate the scoring rate when nearing a hundred.
This pattern of dismissals raises questions about his approach at the crease, particularly in high-stakes situations. The young cricketer has shown immense promise, and while he may be disappointed with his near-misses, his ability to consistently reach the 90s indicates a bright future ahead if he can convert these starts into centuries.
As the Duleep Trophy progresses, Sooryavanshi's performance will be closely watched, not just for his scoring ability but also for how he adapts his game to overcome this recent trend. With youth on his side and a growing list of achievements, fans and selectors alike will be eager to see when he finally breaks through for his maiden first-class century.
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