Mohammed Shami Reflects On Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Rise After Duleep Trophy Triumph

Mohammed Shami praised 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after East Zone won the Duleep Trophy for the first time in 13 years. The Ishan Kishan-led side defeated South Zone on the basis of a first-innings lead in the final, securing East Zone's third Duleep Trophy title overall. The campaign also highlighted the strong camaraderie between experienced players such as Shami and the younger members of the squad.

Shami, who played a key role in the final, enjoyed mentoring Sooryavanshi during the tournament. The veteran pacer described the teenage opener as fun to be around, quick to learn and full of youthful energy. “The kid in our team (Vaibhav Sooryavanshi) is literally as old as my career,” Shami said after the final, referring to the striking age gap between the two cricketers.

The India pacer said modern young cricketers often develop maturity early because of their exposure to high-pressure competitions such as the IPL. He explained that youngsters do not necessarily need constant coaching, but experienced players can provide tactical guidance when matches become difficult. Shami said his role was to step in during challenging moments and remind the younger players to remain competitive and keep fighting.

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The Duleep Trophy final was also a significant milestone in Shami's career as it marked his 100th first-class match. He made his first-class debut for Bengal against Assam on November 17, 2010, while Sooryavanshi was born on March 27, 2011. The teenager served as East Zone's vice-captain during the competition, deputising for Kishan, and also briefly took charge on the field when the captain left the playing area during the final.

Reflecting on the triumph, Shami said winning the tournament in his 100th first-class appearance made the occasion particularly special. He praised every member of the East Zone squad for their contribution throughout the campaign and said the team had produced a strong performance despite the demanding conditions. According to Shami, the players' commitment was central to their success.

“For me, whether it’s your first match or your 100th, it doesn’t matter—the effort and the approach remain exactly the same,” Shami said. He added that the combination of experience and youth had helped East Zone navigate the competition successfully, with the team's collective effort ultimately delivering a long-awaited Duleep Trophy title.

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