Fifteen-year-old India sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gave a taste of his remarkable ball-striking talent before falling to Will Jacks on his international debut against England.
Sooryavanshi was the top run-scorer, top six-hitter and most valuable player at the Indian Premier League earlier this year, winning a maiden call-up for his country.
After sitting out two games against Ireland and Wednesday’s series-opening washout in Durham, he was unleashed on the world stage in the second Vitality T20 at Emirates Old Trafford.
Opening the batting in place of Sanju Samson, the schoolboy made 14 in 10 balls before being stumped as Jacks slid one through him as he charged down the pitch and lost his balance attempting to make his ground.
It was an ungainly end to to an innings that is surely the first of many, but he left behind two significant calling cards.
He sent his fourth ball spiralling over fine leg for six off Rajasthan Royals team-mate Jofra Archer, stooping down on to one knee and in a modified sweep shot against England’s fastest bowler. His seventh delivery also cleared the ropes, fellow debutant Josh Tongue banging out a good length and seeing it flogged with incredible bat speed into the stands at wide long-on.
Sooryavanshi, who beat the great Sachin Tendulkar’s record as India’s youngest men’s cricketer, was on his way soon after having failed to whip Jacks’ flatter delivery through midwicket.
He cut a dejected figure as he made his way to the pavilion but, speaking at toss, his captain Shreyas Iyer said: “How he takes on bowlers shows his confidence. He doesn’t take pressure at all.
“He’s unflinching, it’s good to have him around.”
