Teenage prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made history on Thursday, becoming the youngest player to represent India in international cricket during the second T20 match against England at Old Trafford. At 15 years and 99 days old, Sooryavanshi surpassed the record previously held by Sachin Tendulkar, who debuted for India in Test cricket at 16 years and 205 days.
Despite Sooryavanshi's historic appearance and a brief display of his promising strokeplay, India ultimately fell short, losing by four wickets to England, who now lead the five-match series 1-0. Sooryavanshi scored 14 runs off 10 balls before being stumped.
India posted a competitive total of 190-7 in their 20 overs. Ishan Kishan top-scored with 49, while Abhishek Sharma contributed 43 and Shreyas Iyer added 37. However, tight bowling from England's Sam Curran, who took 3-33, and Will Jacks helped to stifle India's scoring rate.
England chased down the target with an over to spare, largely thanks to an explosive unbeaten innings from Jacob Bethell. The young batsman, a protégé for England, struck 76 runs from 46 deliveries. England's chase began shakily, with the team at 1-2 after the first over. Captain Harry Brook provided immediate impetus with a rapid 39 off 15 balls, followed by a crucial 67-run partnership between Bethell and Tom Banton.
In the decisive phase of the match, Bethell attacked India's leg-spin bowler Ravi Bishnoi in the 17th over, hitting three sixes and accumulating 29 runs from that over, setting England on course for victory. Jofra Archer calmly hit the winning runs on the final ball of the 19th over.
The next match in the series is scheduled to take place on Tuesday at Trent Bridge.