Vaibhav Sooryavanshi promises, but falls cheaply in landmark India debut
ENG vs IND, 2nd T20I: 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored 14 runs off nine balls with two sixes before off-spinner Will Jacks dismissed him at the Old Trafford in Manchester.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's much-anticipated India debut ended in disappointment on the scoreboard, but the 15-year-old left enough glimpses of his immense talent to suggest that this is only the beginning of an exciting international journey. In the second T20I in the five-match series against England on Saturday, Sooryavanshi scored 14 runs off 9 balls with 2 sixes.
The teenager from Bihar became India's youngest-ever international cricketer when he walked out to open alongside Abhishek Sharma in the second T20I against England at Old Trafford, Manchester, surpassing the record held by Shafali Verma.
At just 15 years and 99 days, Sooryavanshi added another chapter to his remarkable rise after earning his maiden India cap from Tilak Varma following an emotional dressing-room speech from head coach Gautam Gambhir.
England vs India, 2nd T20I: Updates | Scorecard
Opening against Jofra Archer and fellow debutant Josh Tongue was never going to be easy. Tongue repeatedly beat him with steep bounce and raw pace, while Archer also asked plenty of questions with the new ball. Sooryavanshi needed three deliveries to get off the mark, edging a yorker towards square leg after surviving an early barrage.
Yet, the fearless approach that made him one of India's most exciting young batters soon came to the fore.
HOW SOORYAVANSHI ATTACKED ENGLAND BOWLERS
His statement shot arrived against Archer. Shuffling across to a 148kph full delivery, Sooryavanshi got down on one knee and scooped it magnificently over fine leg for his maiden international six, drawing a roar from the Old Trafford crowd. It was an audacious stroke against one of the quickest bowlers in world cricket and reflected the teenager's confidence.
He carried that momentum into the next over, rocking back to Josh Tongue and dispatching a full delivery high over midwicket for another towering six. The clean strike showcased both his bat speed and fearless intent as India raced to a brisk opening stand with Abhishek Sharma.
HOW SOORYAVANSHI GOT OUT
However, international cricket quickly reminded him of its unforgiving nature.
Introduced into the attack, Will Jacks outfoxed the youngster with a slower, wider delivery after teasing him with a fuller ball. Sooryavanshi charged down the pitch looking for another boundary but failed to make contact, allowing Jos Buttler to complete a sharp stumping.
The score may not reflect the occasion, but the flashes of brilliance certainly did. Taking on Archer and Tongue without hesitation, Sooryavanshi showed exactly why India have invested in him. His debut ended earlier than he would have liked, but it also served as a reminder that the fearless teenager has the talent to make many bigger scores in the years ahead.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's much-anticipated India debut ended in disappointment on the scoreboard, but the 15-year-old left enough glimpses of his immense talent to suggest that this is only the beginning of an exciting international journey. In the second T20I in the five-match series against England on Saturday, Sooryavanshi scored 14 runs off 9 balls with 2 sixes.
The teenager from Bihar became India's youngest-ever international cricketer when he walked out to open alongside Abhishek Sharma in the second T20I against England at Old Trafford, Manchester, surpassing the record held by Shafali Verma.
At just 15 years and 99 days, Sooryavanshi added another chapter to his remarkable rise after earning his maiden India cap from Tilak Varma following an emotional dressing-room speech from head coach Gautam Gambhir.
England vs India, 2nd T20I: Updates | Scorecard
Opening against Jofra Archer and fellow debutant Josh Tongue was never going to be easy. Tongue repeatedly beat him with steep bounce and raw pace, while Archer also asked plenty of questions with the new ball. Sooryavanshi needed three deliveries to get off the mark, edging a yorker towards square leg after surviving an early barrage.
Yet, the fearless approach that made him one of India's most exciting young batters soon came to the fore.
HOW SOORYAVANSHI ATTACKED ENGLAND BOWLERS
His statement shot arrived against Archer. Shuffling across to a 148kph full delivery, Sooryavanshi got down on one knee and scooped it magnificently over fine leg for his maiden international six, drawing a roar from the Old Trafford crowd. It was an audacious stroke against one of the quickest bowlers in world cricket and reflected the teenager's confidence.
He carried that momentum into the next over, rocking back to Josh Tongue and dispatching a full delivery high over midwicket for another towering six. The clean strike showcased both his bat speed and fearless intent as India raced to a brisk opening stand with Abhishek Sharma.
HOW SOORYAVANSHI GOT OUT
However, international cricket quickly reminded him of its unforgiving nature.
Introduced into the attack, Will Jacks outfoxed the youngster with a slower, wider delivery after teasing him with a fuller ball. Sooryavanshi charged down the pitch looking for another boundary but failed to make contact, allowing Jos Buttler to complete a sharp stumping.
The score may not reflect the occasion, but the flashes of brilliance certainly did. Taking on Archer and Tongue without hesitation, Sooryavanshi showed exactly why India have invested in him. His debut ended earlier than he would have liked, but it also served as a reminder that the fearless teenager has the talent to make many bigger scores in the years ahead.
