'I am a wicket-taker': Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ecstatic after two-wicket spell in Duleep Trophy

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's first outing with the ball in the Duleep Trophy proved far more productive than his contribution with the bat as East Zone completed a dominant innings-and-210-run victory over North East Zone in their quarterfinal.

The teenage batting sensation was expected to make headlines with his left-handed strokeplay after East Zone won the toss and piled up a mammoth 467 in their only innings. However, Sooryavanshi managed just eight runs before his dismissal, leaving him with little opportunity to influence the contest with the bat.

With North East Zone struggling in their second innings and wickets proving difficult to come by, East Zone captain Ishan Kishan turned to Sooryavanshi's left-arm spin. The move immediately paid dividends as the youngster claimed 2 for 11 from three overs, dismissing Kishan Lyngdoh for 25 and Imliwati Lemtur for four.

Reflecting on his unexpected bowling assignment, Sooryavanshi said the opportunity came when North East Zone were proving stubborn.

"If you ask any batter, he enjoys bowling as well, or vice versa with the bowler; they like to bat. Both enjoy doing the other a lot," Sooryavanshi said in a video shared by the BCCI.

"The wicket wasn't falling for the opponent team and I was asked to bowl 2-3 overs. Ishan bhaiya felt that he was taking some risk in asking me to bowl, but he did not know that I am a wicket-taker."

Sooryavanshi admitted that his bowling contribution was particularly satisfying after an underwhelming effort with the bat. He explained that, despite knowing he would only get a short spell, his focus was on maintaining his accuracy and creating an opportunity.

"The only thing I had in my mind was even if I take five wickets here, I would only get three overs to bowl so I tried to bowl my best, tried to bowl at the same spot and finish my spell," he said.

"I enjoyed it a lot because it did not go well in batting for me, so to have contributed with my bowling felt really good. Of course, when a batter takes a wicket there is no bigger enjoyment than that," he added.

East Zone's emphatic victory sends them into the Duleep Trophy semi-finals, where they will face defending champions Central Zone from Sunday.