Jacob Bethell spoils Sooryavanshi debut party, hands T20 champions third loss-in-a-row

England's T20 batting star Jacob Bethell once again proved to be India's nemesis, guiding the hosts to a four-wicket victory in the second T20I at Old Trafford on Saturday. The win handed the reigning T20 champions their third successive defeat and gave England a 1-0 lead in the five-match series after the opening game was washed out. While the contest was billed around 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's historic debut, Bethell's unbeaten masterclass ultimately stole the show.

IND vs ENG, 2nd T20I: Highlights I Scorecard

It all started with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi making history as the 15-year-old became the youngest Indian cricketer to represent the country, surpassing Shafali Verma's overall record and Sachin Tendulkar's record among Indian men. He replaced Sanju Samson, who failed to make a mark in the past three T20Is.

Opening alongside Abhishek Sharma after India opted to bat, the youngster showed his fearless intent with two sixes before being stumped by Will Jacks for 14 off 10 balls.

While Sooryavanshi’s debut was short-lived, Abhishek Sharma—significantly more experienced despite being another young face—took charge, recovering from a testing start against Jofra Archer’s pace to make 43 off 24 balls. The opening pair added 50 runs in 4.5 overs before India reached 65 for 2 at the end of the powerplay, with Abhishek falling on the final ball of the fielding restrictions.

England gradually wrestled back control as the surface began offering extra grip and variable bounce. Shreyas Iyer's fluent 37 and Ishan Kishan's hard-fought 49 anchored the innings through a 65-run partnership, but boundaries dried up during the middle overs. Sam Curran's clever changes of pace proved particularly effective as he finished with 3 for 33, while Will Jacks, Liam Dawson and Jofra Archer chipped in with a wicket apiece.

India appeared destined for a below-par total before Tilak Varma provided the finishing flourish. His unbeaten 24 off just 11 balls, including 17 runs in the final over against Archer, helped India plunder 23 runs from the last seven deliveries to post a competitive 190 for 7.

BETHEL'S BRILLIANCE POWERS ENGLAND HOME

The chase could not have begun worse for the hosts, as Phil Salt and Jos Buttler were removed by Arshdeep Singh in a sensational opening over. However, Harry Brook launched a brutal counterattack, smashing Arshdeep for 27 runs, including three sixes and two boundaries to swing early momentum England’s way.

Axar Patel, who ended with figures of 1/20 in his four overs, eventually ended Brook’s assault at 39 with a smart dismissal down the leg side, but not before the England captain had set a strong platform.

However, Jacob Bethell was well settled to take the centre stage by then, combining with Tom Banton in a crucial 67-run stand that kept England firmly in control of the chase.

On a skiddy surface which was helping spinners much more than the pacer, Indian spinners Ravi Bishnoi and Varun Chakravarthy struggled to contain the flow of runs, as Bethell played with composure and authority. Only Axar held his own, while Chakravarthy provided a late breakthrough by removing Will Jacks in the final over.

Despite India briefly clawing back through Arshdeep’s reintroduction in the 13th over, Bethell’s control and timing ensured there was no real collapse. The left-hander remained unbeaten on 76 off 46 balls, striking five sixes and five fours as he steered England to a comfortable chase. His knock secured a four-wicket win with an over to spare and gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in the series.

This was the third consecutive defeat for the T20 champions under new captain Shreyas Iyer, following a series whitewash against Ireland. India next face England on Tuesday, July 7 in Nottingham.