Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s record-breaking captaincy debut ends in defeat
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Indore: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s record-breaking debut as Bihar captain ended in disappointment as Saurashtra defeated his side by five wickets in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on Saturday. Bihar were restricted to 137 for nine, which Saurashtra chased down in 16.3 overs, with 21 balls to spare.
At 15 years and 232 days, Sooryavanshi became the youngest captain in men’s T20 cricket history. He surpassed Croatia’s Zach Vukusic, who had led his national side at 17 years and 311 days. Sooryavanshi won the toss at Holkar Stadium and elected to bat, but could not make a significant contribution with the bat.
Opening the innings, the teenager scored 18 off 12 balls before being dismissed by Chetan Sakariya. Bihar’s batting line-up failed to build momentum, with no batter reaching a half-century. Prithvi Raj top-scored with 38 off 27 deliveries, while Altamish Ashraf made 24 and Raghuvendra Pratap Singh added 14.
Sakariya and Prerak Mankad claimed three wickets each for Saurashtra. Krains Fuletra took one wicket, while captain Jaydev Unadkat also chipped in with a dismissal.
Saurashtra’s chase began well, but Bihar briefly threatened to turn the contest around by taking wickets at regular intervals. Early wickets, however, failed to derail Saurashtra's chase. Harvansh Pangalia’s quick 33 off 11 balls put the visitors in control. Harvik Desai contributed 21 before Siddhant Rana and Ruchit Ahir saw the side home, both remaining unbeaten on 21.
The defeat took the gloss off Sooryavanshi’s historic milestone, as his first match in charge ended without a win despite the record he set before the game.