East Zone has named Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as vice-captain and Ishan Kishan as captain for the Duleep Trophy 2026, which begins in Bengaluru on August 23. Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar, Shahbaz Ahmed and Abhimanyu Easwaran are also part of the 15-player squad, according to the Times of India report.
Leadership role follows Sooryavanshi’s recent India outings
Sooryavanshi’s vice-captaincy follows his Player of the Series award during India’s tour of Zimbabwe and his international debut on India’s tour of England earlier in July 2026.
Sooryavanshi is expected to open the batting with Bengal opener Abhimanyu Easwaran. Easwaran brings more than 100 first-class appearances, although East Zone has not confirmed the final batting order.
Supplemental editorial cricket visual for Duleep Trophy 2026: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi named East Zone vice-captain.
Supplemental editorial cricket visual for Duleep Trophy 2026: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi named East Zone vice-captain.
Ishan Kishan will lead the side and is also one of two designated wicketkeepers in the squad alongside Kumar Kushagra.
Shami selected as Parag and Akash Deep continue rehabilitation
Mohammed Shami has been selected after missing international action since the 2025 Champions Trophy final. Shami represented Bengal during the 2025-26 domestic season and played 13 matches for Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026.
East Zone did not consider Riyan Parag or Akash Deep for selection because both players remain in rehabilitation. Parag is recovering from right shoulder surgery, while Akash Deep is recovering from back surgery.
Supplemental editorial cricket visual for Duleep Trophy 2026: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi named East Zone vice-captain.
The squad also includes India fast bowler Mukesh Kumar, all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed, Jharkhand batter Virat Singh and spin all-rounder Anukul Roy. Roy previously featured in India A’s successful tri-series campaign in Sri Lanka earlier in 2026.
East Zone squad and standby players
East Zone has selected 15 players in the main squad and named five standby players for the Duleep Trophy 2026.
- Main squad: Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sudip Gharami, Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Suraj Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan (captain), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (vice-captain), Virat Singh, Kumar Kushagra, Shikhar Mohan, Subranshu Senapati, Abhijit Sarkar, Anukul Roy and Denish Das.
- Standby players: Ayush Loharuka, Sridam Paul, Sambit S Baral, Sharandeep Singh and Swastik Samal.
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