In the pre-match spotlight was India’s teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who was making his international debut. But by the end of the match it was England Jacob Bethell who stole the show, leading his team to a four-wicket victory over the world champions in the second T20I at Old Trafford in Manchester.Bethell’s unbeaten 76 off 46 balls helped England chase down 191 with an over to give the hosts a four-wicket win in the second game of the five-match series on Saturday. The left-hander hit five sixes and five fours, leading the chase after England lost both openers, Phil Salt and captain Jos Buttler, for ducks in the first over against Arshdeep Singh.Harry Brook then counter-attacked with a quick-fire 39 to steady England before Bethell and Tom Banton, who also made 39, rebuilt the innings through key partnerships.Bethell stepped up at the right time and took full advantage of Ravi Bishnoi’s mistakes. The leg-spinner overstepped three times during the chase, including twice in the 17th over. The 29 runs conceded by Ravi Bishnoi in the 17th over was the third highest by an Indian bowler in an over in T20Is, after 34 by Shivam Dube against New Zealand in 2020 and 32 by Stuart Binny against West Indies in 2016.India seemed to be in control for most of the innings, especially after Axar Patel’s four-over spell, which cost just 20 runs and fetched one wicket. However, Bishnoi’s spell proved costly as he finished with figures of 0 for 60 in four overs, allowing England to regain control.After the first game was washed out, England now lead the series 1-0 with three matches remaining.Earlier, India posted 190 for seven after being asked to bat.The match marked Sooryavanshi’s international debut as he became India’s youngest international cricketer at 15 years and 99 days, breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record.The teenager scored 14 off 10 balls, hitting two sixes before being dismissed.Abhishek Sharma gave India a flying start with 43 off 24 balls while Ishan Kishan made 49 off 40. Captain Shreyas Iyer added 37 off 22 and Kishan and Iyer put together 65 runs for the third wicket.Tilak Varma remained unbeaten on 24 off 11 deliveries to push India to a competitive total.For England, left-armer Sam Curran was the pick of the bowlers with three for 33.Points for letters:IIndia 190/7 in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 43, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 14, Shreyas Iyer 37, Ishan Kishan 49, Tilak Varma 24 not out; Sam Curran 3/33); lost for England 191/6 in 19 overs (Harry Brook 39, Jacob Bethell 76 not out, Tom Banton 39; Arshdeep Singh 3/40).
