NEW DELHI: India on Saturday gave 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi his much-awaited international debut in the second T20I against England at Old Trafford in Manchester.India captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bat first. The only change in the playing XI was the replacement of Sooryavanshi Sanju Samson at the top of the line.
Who did Vaibhav Sooryavanshi replace?
Samson made way after a lean run with the bat. He scored 5 and 0 in the two-match T20I series against Ireland and managed just 1 in the opening T20I against England at Chester-le-Street.With his debut, Sooryavanshi became India’s youngest international cricketer at 15 years and 99 days, breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record. Sachin made his debut at the age of 16 years and 205 days against Pakistan in 1989. Washington Sundar remains India’s youngest T20I debutant before Sooryavanshi, having made his debut at 18 years and 80 days against Sri Lanka in 2017.Speaking at the toss, Shreyas Iyer confirmed the change.“We will bat first again. (Team changes?) One change, Vaibhav (Sooryavanshi) comes in for Sanju (Samson).”The India captain also backed the teenager and explained why the team management had full faith in him.“(Amazing story. He’s about to become India’s youngest debutant. Is he ready?) Absolutely. You’ve seen him in the last few months, the way he’s been smashing the ball, going up against the best bowlers, it shows the immense confidence he possesses.”Iyer said Sooryavanshi has earned his place with consistent performances.“(Did you feel significant pressure to play with him?) Not really. I feel like he fully deserves to be in the team the way he’s done over the last few months and years. He’s someone who can’t stand pressure at all. The way you see him in the locker room, he has that steadfast nature. And it’s so good to have him around.”Asked how he copes with the pressure that comes with playing for India, Iyer praised the youngster’s temperament.(Is it part of your role as captain to help him deal with the unique pressures that come with playing for India?) I’m sure he’s very well aware of what’s going to happen in these matches. And as I mentioned, he has a calm demeanor. He can’t handle the pressure at all. And the way he hits the net, the way he goes against the pitchers in the net, it literally shows what kind of character he is.”Iyer also highlighted the intense competition for places in the Indian team.“(By the T20 World Cup winners now the captain has gone and the player of the tournament is no longer in the squad. Is that a reflection of the huge competition for the places you have?) Well, absolutely. See the competition. Match after match like the amount of talent India has been producing in the last few months and years. I think it’s pleasing to the eye and also keeps us especially tense throughout the series. Because pressure is a privilege, I feel. And if you work under pressure, you also reap the benefits.”England, meanwhile, made two changes to their playing line-up, bringing back Jofra Archer and giving fast bowler Josh Tongue a T20I debut.The first T20I of the five-match series at Chester-le-Street ended scoreless after rain interrupted England’s chase of India at 189/7.
