Kolkata: Indian explosive wicket keeper Batter Ishan Kishan will lead East Zone’s squad for Duleep Trophy 2026. 15 years old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is named vice captain. Bengal stars like captain Abhimanyu Easwaran, iconic pacer Mohammad Shami, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, etc are also included in the star studded squad.
Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan will captain an East Zone side that blends experienced international cricketers with emerging talent. Veteran India pacer Mohammed Shami returns to the domestic circuit after missing international action since the 2025 Champions Trophy final. The 35-year-old featured for Bengal in the 2025-26 domestic season and also played 13 matches for the Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026.
Shami will be accompanied by Bengal teammates like Mukesh Kumar, Suraj Jaiswal, allrounder, Shahbaz Ahmed. Jharkhand batter Virat Singh, wicketkeeper Kumar Kushagra, and spin all-rounder Anukul Roy, who impressed during India A’s successful tri-series campaign in Sri Lanka earlier this year are also added.
East Zone will be without two prominent names, Riyan Parag and Akash Deep, both of whom continue their rehabilitation after undergoing surgeries. Parag is recovering from right shoulder surgery, while Akash Deep remains sidelined following back surgery. Neither player was considered for selection as they continue their recovery programmes.
India’s teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has added another milestone to his rapidly rising career after being appointed vice-captain of the East Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy 2026. Fresh from winning the Player of the Series award during India’s tour of Zimbabwe, Sooryavanshi will serve as deputy to Ishan Kishan.
The vice-captaincy marks another major achievement for the youngster, who made his international debut during India’s tour of England earlier this month. Following a string of impressive performances for India and in domestic cricket, Sooryavanshi has now been entrusted with a leadership role in one of India’s premier domestic tournaments.
He is expected to open the batting alongside experienced Bengal opener Abhimanyu Easwaran, who returns as the most seasoned player in the squad with more than 100 first-class appearances. The Bengal opener has consistently piled up runs in domestic cricket and remains on the fringes of India’s Test squad. His experience is expected to provide stability alongside the attacking flair of Sooryavanshi at the top of the order. Odisha’s Subhranshu Senapati and Assam batter Denish Das further strengthen the middle order.
East Zone Squad for Duleep Trophy 2026
Abhimanyu Easwaran (CAB), Sudip Kumar Gharami (CAB), Shahbaz Ahmed (CAB), Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal (CAB), Mohammed Shami (CAB), Mukesh Kumar (CAB), Ishan Kishan (C, JSCA), Kumar Kushagra (JSCA), Shikhar Mohan (JSCA), Anukul Roy (JSCA), Virat Singh (JSCA), Subhranshu Senapati (OCA), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (VC, BCA), Denish Das (ACA) and Abhijit Sarkar (TCA).
Standbyes: Ayush Loharuka (BCA), Sridam Paul (TCA), Sambit S Baral (OCA), Sharandeep Singh (JSCA) and Swastik Samal (OCA).
