Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has questioned the decision to appoint 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as vice-captain of the East Zone team for the Duleep Trophy. During a Reddit 'Ask Me Anything' session, Sachin was asked whether giving such a responsibility to a young player was the right move. He clearly said that he did not agree with the decision. According to Sachin, Vaibhav should be allowed to focus on playing cricket rather than being given leadership responsibilities so early in his career. His comments have brought fresh attention to the debate over how quickly young players should be given bigger roles in domestic cricket.


More Focus on Red-Ball Cricket

Explaining his position, Sachin said that Vaibhav should get the opportunity to play as many red-ball matches as possible. He believes the young cricketer needs time to develop his game and gain experience at the first-class level. Sachin also stressed that his progress should happen gradually, with one step at a time. Instead of putting additional pressure on him through leadership duties, the focus should remain on improving his cricket. His advice reflects the importance of giving young players enough time to adjust to the demands of longer-format cricket before assigning them major responsibilities.


Why Was Vaibhav Made Vice-Captain?

The decision to appoint Vaibhav as East Zone vice-captain had already attracted criticism from several cricket experts. However, Prabhanjan Malik, one of the members of the East Zone selection committee, had defended the move. He explained that Vaibhav was not made captain and was only given the vice-captain's role. Ishan Kishan was appointed captain of the team. Malik also pointed out that Kishan is a wicketkeeper and remains involved in the game throughout the match. The selectors believed that giving Vaibhav some responsibility could help him become more mature as a cricketer.


Selectors See Leadership Potential

Malik had also expressed confidence in Vaibhav's future and suggested that he could become India's captain one day. He said young players should be given responsibilities because nobody knows how far they can go in their careers. According to him, Vaibhav had been performing well for the country and had also enjoyed a good IPL season with Rajasthan Royals. The selectors also considered his experience as vice-captain of the Bihar Ranji team while making the decision. Their intention was to help him develop leadership qualities alongside his cricketing skills.


Sachin's Advice Sparks Debate

Sachin's comments have brought two different views into focus. While the East Zone selectors wanted to prepare Vaibhav for future leadership by giving him responsibility, Sachin believes that the 15-year-old should first concentrate on playing and gaining experience. The difference is mainly about the right time to introduce leadership duties. Vaibhav has already attracted attention because of his performances at a young age, but Sachin's advice highlights the importance of managing expectations and allowing his development to happen step by step.


A Long Road Ahead for Vaibhav

At just 15, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has already become one of the most talked-about young cricketers. His performances for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL and his involvement in domestic cricket have raised expectations about his future. The East Zone selectors see leadership potential in him, while Sachin wants him to gain more experience before taking on bigger responsibilities. Both views underline the attention surrounding his career. For now, the biggest challenge will be to continue performing consistently and develop his game across formats.