The Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) announced a 17-member squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026 on Friday, naming Vaibhav Sooryavanshi captain for the opening two matches. However, a CricBlogger report has raised questions over the teenager's alleged influence on the selection process.
The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, named after former India Test cricketer Syed Mushtaq Ali, is the BCCI’s premier domestic men’s T20 competition for state and institutional teams across India. The 2026 edition, the tournament’s 19th, will be played from November 14 to December 6, with Bihar placed in Elite Group B.
According to CricBlogger, 118 players attended Bihar's open-net trials, including several members of the state's current Ranji Trophy team. The report claimed that some players who performed well during the sessions did not receive proper consideration during the selection process.
The report alleged that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi arrived on the third day of the trials and sat alongside the selectors. The 15-year-old reportedly appeared to be chairing the meeting, reflecting the influence his growing profile had allegedly given him within the state association.
The report further claimed that Sooryavanshi pushed for the inclusion of some of his friends at the expense of other deserving candidates. His alleged influence over the team management was also said to have led to an additional player being included in the squad.
A source familiar with the developments told CricBlogger, "Some former local cricketers were actively involved in coordinating with the appointed selectors."
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's IPL 2026 Breakthrough Earns Him Bihar Captaincy
The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy will mark Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's first official stint as captain in a senior professional match. However, he has already held leadership responsibilities at the domestic level, serving as vice-captain of Bihar in the Ranji Trophy and East Zone in the Duleep Trophy.
He also briefly captained East Zone during the Duleep Trophy semi-final after skipper Ishan Kishan left the field with an injury. East Zone went on to win the tournament after the final against South Zone ended in a draw, with a 372-run first-innings lead deciding the result.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored 175 in the Under-19 World Cup final against England and won the Player of the Tournament award before enjoying a record-breaking IPL campaign with Rajasthan Royals.
The teenager finished IPL 2026 as the leading run-scorer, amassing 776 runs at a strike rate of 237.30. He became the youngest player to win the Orange Cap, earning an India call-up in the process. His T20I debut against England in Manchester in July made him India's youngest men's international cricketer.
Bihar Begin SMAT 2026 Campaign Against Saurashtra
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has since become a regular presence in India's T20I setup. During the team's tour of Zimbabwe, he became the youngest player to score a half-century in senior men's T20 internationals.
He was also part of India's squad for the recent five-match T20I series in New Zealand, which the visitors won 3-2. The left-hander played two matches, scoring four runs at No. 3 in the second match before making an explosive 45 off 19 balls in the third T20I in Wellington.
Sooryavanshi shared a 133-run opening partnership with Abhishek Sharma, who scored 113 off 38 deliveries. India reached 118 without losing a wicket in the powerplay, recording the highest six-over total in men's T20I cricket. They chased down New Zealand's 199 in just 13.2 overs.
He has also made his mark in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. In 2024, aged 13, he became the youngest player to feature in the competition. Last season, he set another record by becoming its youngest centurion, scoring an unbeaten 108 off 61 balls against Maharashtra at Eden Gardens.
Also read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi named captain as Bihar names squad for SMAT 2026/27
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