IND vs ENG: India elect to bat first vs England in 2nd T20I, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi makes debut at Sanju Samson's expense; know playing XIs

India won the toss and opted to bat first against England in the second T20I at the Manchester's Old Trafford on July 4. All the suspense around Vaibhav Sooryavanshi finally ended as the 15-year-old became the youngest cricketer to make debut for the Men in Blue. It was Sanju Samson who had to pave the way for Sooryavanshi's debut.

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What did the captains say at the toss?

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Indian captain Shreyas Iyer confirmed a blockbuster change to the lineup: teenage prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been handed his debut, coming into the side for Sanju Samson. Iyer enthusiastically backed the 15-year-old, noting that his fearless batting over the last few months earned him this opportunity. Describing the youngster as unflinching and entirely unbothered by pressure, Iyer emphasized that Sooryavanshi’s relentless approach against bowlers in the net sessions proves he belongs at this level. The skipper added that the sheer volume of talent emerging from India keeps the entire squad on their toes, concluding that dealing with such high internal competition and external expectation is a privilege.

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On the other hand, England captain Harry Brook admitted he would have also preferred to bat first had the coin flipped in his favor. Reflecting on the conditions, Brook joked that unless his side is forced to chase down a massive 300-run target, they won't get a chance to replicate India’s batting strategy. Despite losing the toss, Brook expressed immense confidence in his bowling attack, highlighting the return of Jofra Archer and the inclusion of Josh Tongue. He praised both pacers for their skill, pinpointing their excellent slower deliveries and ability to executing perfect yorkers. When asked about India's new teenage debutant, Brook acknowledged that the English side has already done their homework to counter the young phenom.

India (Playing XI):

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan(w), Shreyas Iyer(c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Harshit Rana, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy