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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi received India cap from Tilak Varma [Source: X]
In a historic moment that unfolded at the Old Trafford ground in Manchester, 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi received his India cap. He is all set to make his debut in the second T20I between India and England.
After the first T20I was washed out due to rain, India and England arrived at Manchester to resume the series. Before the second T20I, buzz around Sooryavanshi’s debut was picking up, and moments before the toss, the much-awaited cap presentation moment unfolded.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gets emotional upon getting the India cap
Moments before the toss, Team India gathered into a huddle, and everyone had their eyes on just one man, 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Vice-captain Tilak Varma had a cap in his hand that he was tasked to award to Vaibhav.
Tilak made a brief speech, and amid loud applause from his teammates, the vice-captain handed over the India debut cap to Sooryavanshi. The kid grabbed it with both hands and wore it proudly.
He seemed emotional and thanked his teammates for the support. The entire cap presentation ceremony was caught on camera, and fans went gaga over it on social media.
They cheered for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as many felt he deserved this opportunity despite being as young as 15.
Also Read - "The Youngest Ever": Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's India Debut Breaks Internet
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi replaces Sanju Samson
Having said that, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will replace Sanju Samson in India’s playing XI for the second T20I vs England. Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bat first before revealing this team change.
The change, however, was expected. Samson had been wasting his opportunities. He scored 5 and 0 in the 2-game series against Ireland that India lost. Moreover, in the first T20I, he was dismissed on just one run.
Hence, the pressure was building up, and Indian management eventually ran out of patience. For Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Samson’s poor form came as a blessing in disguise.
This is only his second international tour, and he has already received his India cap, thus becoming the youngest Indian to do so.
Fans naturally have high expectations from him after he had a record-breaking IPL 2026 season. But whether or not Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will succeed in translating IPL success to international cricket is a storyline worth watching.
India opt to bat first in the crucial second T20I
Coming back to the game, Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to bat first. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s debut is the only change in the playing XI as the kid will open the innings with Abhishek Sharma.
Meanwhile, conditions in Manchester were extremely windy during the toss as Iyer lost his cap while tossing up the coin. It’s likely to assist pace bowlers, and England made changes accordingly.
Fast bowlers Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue have been included in the playing XI. The duo were resting after concluding a 3-game Test series against New Zealand. For Tongue, the game is significant as it's his debut match in the T20I format.
Also Read - Vaibhav Sooryavanshi To Debut As Shreyas Iyer & Co To Bat First: India vs England 1st T20I Toss Report
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.jpg?type=mq "TR on Sooryavanshi Debut")
.jpg?type=mq "Abrar Ahmed In Dilemma")
