England won a dominating win over India in the second T20I on Saturday, July 4 at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Stretford. Despite England's win over India in the contest, the game was overshadowed by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's maiden international appearance for the Men in Blue.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's historic India debut
After sitting on the bench for three games, the Indian team handed the 15-year-old his maiden India cap in the second T20I of the five-game series. The Shreyas Iyer-led side dropped Sanju Samson to make space for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) opener. However, Sooryavanshi managed to score only 14 runs off 10 balls in his first innings, but smashed two fantastic sixes which displayed his potential when it comes to playing absolute attacking cricket.
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While chasing 191 runs in the second innings, England's Jacob Bethell played a match-winning knock of 76 runs off just 46 deliveries, which earned him the Player of the Match award. The English batter operated at an attacking strike rate of 165.22 with the help of five boundaries and five maximums.
Jacob Bethell lavishes praise on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Appearing at the post-match press conference, the left-handed batter was questioned about India's teenage sensation. Bethell heaped praise on Sooryavanshi, saying that he is an unbelievable talent and has got some serious skills in batting.
The English batter also made a hilarious remark while appreciating Sooryavanshi, saying it feels a bit weird to say that he is playing against someone who is seven years younger than him.
"Yeah, it feels weird to say that I am playing against someone seven years younger than me. I have watched him bat in India, watched him today – the swing and everything is pure. So, he’s an unbelievable talent," said Bethell.
What is next for India?
The Men in Blue will look to learn from their shortcomings which cost them the game, before locking horns against the Three Lions in the third T20I of the series on Tuesday, July 7 at the Trent Bridge in West Bridgford. Currently, England leads the series by 1-0, as the first T20I which was played at the Riverside Ground in Durham was abandoned due to heavy rain.