Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made a memorable start to his international career during the second T20I against England at Old Trafford, becoming India’s youngest-ever male international cricketer at just 15 years of age. Although his debut innings lasted only 10 deliveries, the teenage sensation gave fans a glimpse of his fearless approach by smashing two towering sixes before being dismissed for 14. Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar felt the dismissal was unlike the youngster, insisting that the shot selection did not reflect Sooryavanshi’s natural game.Sooryavanshi’s promising knock came to an end when he was stumped by Jos Buttler off the bowling of Will Jacks. The youngster danced down the track looking to attack, but Jacks cleverly fired in a flat delivery outside off stump. Beaten by the turn and bounce, Sooryavanshi missed an attempted cut shot, allowing Buttler to complete a sharp stumping.After the dimissial Sunil Gavaskar admitted it was not his natural shot, “That is not his shot. His shot is the cover drive,” Gavaskar said on Sony Sports while analysing the dismissal.Ahead of the innings, Gavaskar had spoken glowingly about the excitement surrounding the teenager’s debut, describing him as “India’s baby” and expressing confidence that he would play fearlessly from the outset.“I won’t be surprised if he gets going from the first ball. Everybody watching in India will be jumping. They will all be elated because he is India’s baby now. And everybody wants to see their baby do well,” Gavaskar had said.
England beat India by four wickets
England defeated India by four wickets in a thrilling second T20I at Emirates Old Trafford, chasing down 191 with an over to spare to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series after the opener was washed out.India posted 190/7 thanks to valuable contributions throughout the batting order. On his historic debut, 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored a fearless 14 off 10 balls, while Abhishek Sharma provided a brisk start with 43 off 24. Ishan Kishan (49 off 40) and captain Shreyas Iyer (37 off 22) added a crucial 65-run partnership before Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 24 off 11 gave India a late flourish. Sam Curran starred with the ball for England, claiming 3/33.England’s chase was headlined by Jacob Bethell, who remained unbeaten on 76 off 46 balls after the hosts were rocked by Arshdeep Singh’s double strike in the opening over. Bethell counterattacked brilliantly, including a game-changing 26-run over, to steer England home despite India’s early dominance. India’s bowlers failed to maintain control in the latter half of the innings as Bethell guided England to victory with six balls remaining.
