England win T20I as 15-year-old Sooryavanshi makes debut

Fifteen-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made a historic international debut for India on Saturday, but his landmark appearance was overshadowed by a match-winning performance from England’s Jacob Bethell, who led his side to a four-wicket victory in the second T20 International at Old Trafford. The result gives England a 1-0 lead in the five-match series after the first game in Durham was washed out.

Sooryavanshi, aged 15 years and 99 days, became the youngest player to represent India in men’s international cricket, breaking a long-standing record held by Sachin Tendulkar. Opening the batting, the teenager announced his arrival with two sixes in a brief but explosive innings of 14 runs from 10 balls before being stumped off the bowling of Will Jacks. His debut came after intense speculation and external pressure to include him, with the move seeing experienced opener Sanju Samson dropped from the side.

Despite Sooryavanshi’s flashy entrance and a 50-run opening stand with Abhishek Sharma (43), India’s innings was curtailed by England’s bowlers. Sam Curran took three wickets for 33 runs, his best T20I figures on home soil, as the visitors posted 190 for 7. Ishan...