Jacob Bethell’s swashbuckling 76no may have fired England to an impressive four-wicket victory over India, but the headlines from Old Trafford were stolen by the much-anticipated debut of 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Sooryavanshi was named the IPL MVP for the 2026 season after leading the league in runs with 776 – at a stunning strike rate of 237.30 – and replaced Sanju Samson as the opener for India after they crashed to two consecutive T20 defeats against Ireland in Belfast.
The teenage phenomenon became the youngest player to ever play for India – surpassing all-time leader in Test runs Sachin Tendaulker, who made his debut at 16 in 1989 – and wowed spectators with two sixes before being stumped on 14 in his 10-ball international cameo.
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Take a look at every ball Vaibhav Sooryavanshi faced in his India debut against England at Old Trafford
Sooryavanshi dazzles but inexperience on show in T20I debut
Sooryavanshi’s day begun with two swings and misses at his first deliveries faced from Josh Tongue – who was also making a T20I debut – before a tentative inside edge into the leg side ignited his innings with his first runs as an India cricketer.
His confidence appeared to have been boosted immediately. With the next delivery, he notched his first India maximum with an audacious lofted shot over the rope at fine leg off Jofra Archer – Sooryavanshi’s team-mate with the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.
The opener continued his remarkable start two balls later when he read the off-cutter of Josh Tongue to a tee and dispatched it over the boundary for another six to the delight of the Manchester crowd.
His short-but-sweet debut ended there, though, as an ill-advised charge down the ground to meet the delivery of spinner Will Jacks gave Jos Buttler an easy stumping to end one of the most anticipated debuts in cricket’s history.
Though his dismissal demonstrated his inexperience at the international level, his captain Shreyas Iyer lauded the youngster’s courage:
“I feel [Sooryavanshi] has that unflinching attitude where he’s fearless,” Iyer said. “The way he approaches his game, it’s sensational to watch.
“The way he bats in the nets, I think we can learn from him.
“I wasn’t expecting him to be nervous, because he’s played sensational cricket for the last couple of months and years.
“We all know what he’s got to offer as an individual.
“I definitely back him, and the way he stepped up to this occasion was pleasing to the eye.”
Athers: Sooryavanshi is an extraordinary talent
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Dinesh Karthik and Michael Atherton look back on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s debut for India and label the 15-year-old an ‘extraordinary talent’
Sky Sports Cricket’s Michael Atherton:
“Amazing. It was a terrific start to the day.
“We all wondered when he was going to play, the young man we’ve heard and seen so much of, with that strike rate of close to 240 in the IPL, averaging 45.
“He has numbers that are astonishing, really, for a player of such tender years.
“A massive cheer went up from the crowd at this point
“We saw he unveiled a couple of sixes, couldn’t quite get going. But we’re going to see a lot more of him.
“He’s an extraordinary talent, clearly.”
Kishan: We need to take care of Sooryavanshi
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15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi did not feature in the first T20 between England and India in Durham but bowling coach Morne Morkel explained why a patient approach is being taken with the teenage sensation
India wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan:
“He has been doing so well for the past two years, and he has made that difference to see him come into the side at this point, when the team was doing well.
“You can see how talented he is, what changes he can bring to the team, and the X factor he has.
“There should be no point in time where he goes into a different mindset. What he has been doing the past two years is very difficult for any batter, but he has achieved that greatness at this point.
“You just look to take care of him as senior players of the team. We just look to be there with him, share whatever he’s asking, share your experience, share what ways we can help him.”
England vs India – white-ball series’ fixtures/results
- First T20 (Durham) – Match abandoned – No result
- Second T20 (Manchester) – England won by four wickets
- Third T20 (Tuesday July 7) – Trent Bridge, Nottingham (5.30pm)
- Fourth T20 (Thursday July 9) – Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol (5.30pm)
- Fifth T20 (Saturday July 11) – Utilita Bowl, Southampton (2.30pm)
- First ODI (Tuesday July 14) – Edgbaston, Birmingham (11am)
- Second ODI (Thursday July 16) – Sophia Gardens, Cardiff (1pm)
- Third ODI (Sunday July 19) – Lord’s, London (11am)
Watch the third T20 international between England and India on Tuesday, live on Sky Sports Cricket from 5pm (first ball 5.30pm). Not got Sky? Stream cricket and more with NOW.