Image Source: X
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Became East Zone Captain Mid-Match After Ishan Injury: The East Zone and Central Zone teams are facing off in the first semi-final of the 2026 Duleep Trophy. At the start of the match, East Zone captain Ishan Kishan won the toss and elected to bowl first. However, the team suffered a major setback during the first session of the opening day when captain Ishan Kishan was forced to leave the field due to an injury.
Ishan Kishan Wrist Injury Update
Image Source: X
Ishan Kishan sustained the injury during the 19th over of Central Zone's innings. While keeping wickets, he was hit on his right wrist by a fast delivery. Although the physio treated him immediately on the field, the severity of the pain forced him to leave the ground. Following his departure, Kumar Kushagra took over wicketkeeping duties. An official update regarding the severity of the injury and his expected return to the field is currently awaited.
Also Read: No Title Sponsor for BCCI Domestic Matches Yet: Key Reasons Explained
15-Year-Old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Captains Senior Team for the First Time
Image Source: X
As Ishan Kishan left the field, 15-year-old all-rounder Vaibhav Sooryavanshi took charge of the East Zone team. Vaibhav, who was appointed as East Zone's vice-captain for the 2026 Duleep Trophy, is playing only his second match in the tournament and his tenth first-class game overall. This marks the first time he is captaining a senior men's cricket team. Earlier, he had set the record for the youngest debutant in the Ranji Trophy when he made his debut in early 2024.
East Zone Playing XI Changes and Match Status vs Central Zone
East Zone has made a significant change to its playing XI for the semi-final. Shahbaz Ahmed, the hero of the quarter-final match, has been ruled out due to a lack of full fitness, and Kunain Qureshi has been included in the playing XI in his place. In the first day's play, Central Zone have scored 81 runs for the loss of 3 wickets by the lunch break.
Also Read: European T20 Premier League 2026: Squads, Schedule, Venue and Live Streaming
