The Duleep Trophy has continued to provide a platform for young Indian cricketers to make their mark at the senior domestic level. The 2026 edition witnessed another remarkable age-related record when Vaibhav Suryavanshi produced a memorable knock for East Zone in the semi-final against Central Zone in Bengaluru.
The 15-year-old became the youngest player to score a half-century in Duleep Trophy history, breaking a record that had stood for 57 years. His achievement puts him at the top of a list featuring three of the youngest batters to reach the landmark in the prestigious domestic competition.
3 youngest players to score a half-century in Duleep Trophy
3. Piyush Chawla – 16 years, 307 days
Former India leg-spinner Piyush Chawla features third on the list after scoring a half-century in the Duleep Trophy at the age of 16 years and 307 days in 2005. Chawla was already regarded as a promising young cricketer at the time and went on to make his Test debut for India against England in March 2006.
His early success in domestic cricket highlighted his potential and helped establish him as one of India’s notable teenage talents. His Duleep Trophy half-century remained among the youngest in the tournament for more than two decades before another young Indian cricketer eventually moved ahead of him.
2. Laxman Singh – 16 years, 23 days
Laxman Singh held the record for the youngest player to score a Duleep Trophy half-century for 57 years. Singh achieved the feat during the 1969 edition of the tournament when he was only 16 years and 23 days old. His record survived generations of young Indian cricketers who came through the Duleep Trophy before finally being surpassed in 2026.
For more than five decades, Singh remained the benchmark for teenage batters looking to make an impact in the competition. His record-breaking achievement eventually became one of the longest-standing age records in Duleep Trophy history.
1. Vaibhav Suryavanshi – 15 years, 175 days
Suryavanshi claimed the top spot during East Zone’s semi-final against Central Zone at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1 in Bengaluru. The teenager reached his half-century from just 42 balls, completing the milestone with a six against off-spinner Saransh Jain. At 15 years and 175 days, he became the youngest player to score a fifty in Duleep Trophy history, surpassing Laxman Singh’s 57-year-old record.
Suryavanshi did not stop after reaching the landmark and continued his aggressive approach. He eventually scored 92 off 81 balls, smashing seven fours and seven sixes before falling just eight runs short of a century. His innings came after Central Zone were dismissed for 266, with East Zone’s bowlers doing most of the early damage. Suryavanshi also briefly took charge as stand-in captain after Ishan Kishan left the field with a wrist injury, adding another notable moment to an already memorable outing.
