"Overwhelmed by all messages": Sooryavanshi on becoming youngest international cricketer for India
Manchester, July 5
Fifteen-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who made history by becoming India's youngest international cricket debutant during the second T20I against England has thanked all his "well-wishers" for the love and support and vowed to do well for the country "every single time".
Sooryavanshi became the youngest player to represent India across formats, as well as the youngest debutant from a Test-playing nation in T20I history. Sooryavanshi, who was included in India's playing 11 for the ongoing second T20I against England in Manchester on Saturday, became India's youngest debutant at 15 years and 99 days. He has now broken the long-standing record held by Sachin Tendulkar (Test debut at 16 years 205 days; ODI at 16 years 238 days) and Piyush Chawla (Test debut at 17 years 75 days).
The hard-hitting batter's first inning in international cricket could last just 10 balls, in which he scored 14 runs, with two sixes.
Following the match, he posted a story on Saturday, thanking his well-wishers for all their love and support and expressed gratitude at being given a chance to represent his country at the highest level. He also vowed to "give his best" in national colours every single time.
India opted to bat first and handed Sooryavanshi a much-anticipated international debut, making him the youngest Indian international player at 15 years and 99 days. Sooryavanshi could last only 10 balls, scoring 14 on his debut with two sixes. Meanwhile, Abhishek Sharma (43 in 24 balls, with eight fours and a six) and Shreyas Iyer (37 in 22 balls, with three fours and a six) played entertaining knocks.
Ishan Kishan (49 in 40 balls, with six fours) put up 65 runs for the third wicket with Iyer. Following that, India collapsed from 130/2 to 165/6. Tilak Varma (24* in 11 balls, with a four and two sixes) played a quickfire cameo to take India to 190/7 in 20 overs.
Sam Curran (3/33) was England's best bowler.
In the chase, England lost both their openers, Phil Salt and Jos Buttler for ducks, their first time ever in T20Is. However, England made a solid enough recovery courtesy a quickfire knock from skipper Harry Brook (39 in 15 balls, with four boundaries and three sixes), who put on a fifty-run stand with Jacob Bethell.
Bethell put in a 67-run stand for the fourth wicket with Tom Banton (39 in 32 balls, with six fours) before Banton and Will Jacks' wickets reduced England to 133/5 in 15.2 overs.
Bethell (76* in 46 balls, with five fours and five sixes) changed the course of the game by upping the gears in slog overs, ending the chase in 19 overs with Jofra Archer (10*). England takes a 1-0 lead in five match series, with three matches left for India to make an impact. The first T20I ended in a washout.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I'm thrilled to see such young talent representing India. But I'm a bit concerned about the pressure on a 15-year-old. Look at what happened to Ishan Kishan's career after early hype. Let's give him time and not compare him to Tendulkar just yet.
As a cricket fan from the UK, I have to say this kid has guts. Debuting in England, against a strong bowling attack like Archer and Curran, and still hitting two sixes? That takes courage. Well played, young man!
Honestly, while Sooryavanshi's debut is great, our middle-order collapse is worrying. From 130/2 to 165/6? That's not championship material. We need to fix this batting depth. But yes, happy for the boy - our youngest ever! 🏏
Really impressed by how mature he sounds in his thank-you message. "Give my best every single time" - at 15, most kids are worried about exams, not international cricket! Hope the BCCI manages his workload properly. Wishing him all the best! 🌟
As an outsider looking in, this is incredible for Indian cricket. 15 years old and already on the international stage - the academies in India must be doing something right. The way he handled the pressure was commendable.
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