Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scripts history; becomes youngest debutant in T20Is after receiving maiden cap in India vs England

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi received his maiden T20I cap from Tilak Varma during the team huddle ahead of India's 2nd T20I match against England at Old Trafford, Manchester on Saturday. The moment was marked by loud applause and pats on the back from teammates. The batter has now become the youngest debutant in T20I cricket history. At 15 years and 99 days, he has broken the long-standing record held by Sachin Tendulkar for the youngest India debutant.

The emotional cap presentation

India’s team management handed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi his first India cap before the toss. Tilak Varma, who presented it, shared a warm moment with the teenager. The Bihar youngster looked emotional as he joined the senior side for the first time.

India won the toss and chose to bat first in the five-match T20I series. Sooryavanshi was named in the playing XI and slotted to open the innings alongside Abhishek Sharma. The move came after rain washed out the series opener in Durham.

The teenager looked focused ahead of his first international appearance. Live images showed him standing behind the stumps, bat in hand, completing a visualisation routine as he prepared for the challenge.

Shreyas Iyer on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi during the toss

“We'll bat first again. We've got one change. Vaibhav comes in for Sanju. You've seen him in last few months, the way he's been batting. Not really. I feel that he completely deserves to be in the squad. He's someone who doesn't take pressure at all. Has an unflinching nature. He's very well aware of what's going to come in these coming matches. The way he bats in the nets and takes on the bowlers, shows what kind of player he is. You see the competition, it's game after game - the amount of talent India produces is pleasing to the eye.”

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.

A dream rise through domestic and IPL cricket

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s journey to this point has been nothing short of remarkable. Born in 2011 in Tajpur, Samastipur district of Bihar, he made his first-class debut at just 12 years and 284 days old. He quickly caught attention with a blistering 58-ball century in a Youth Test against Australia while representing India Under-19.

Rajasthan Royals bought him for ₹1.10 crore in the IPL auction at age 13, making him the youngest player to secure an IPL contract. He made his IPL debut at 14 years and 23 days and announced himself by hitting a six off his very first ball. Just nine days later, he became the youngest centurion in IPL history with a 35-ball hundred.

In IPL 2026, Sooryavanshi delivered a season for the ages. He scored 776 runs in 16 matches at a strike rate of 230, won the Orange Cap, Most Valuable Player, and Emerging Player awards. He also smashed a record 72 sixes in a single IPL season. His performances helped Rajasthan Royals reach the playoffs.

Under-19 World Cup glory and India A Success

Before his senior debut, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had already tasted international success. He starred in India’s Under-19 World Cup triumph over England in February 2026, scoring 175 off 80 balls in the final and earning Player of the Series. He later shone in the India A tri-series with 211 runs at a strike rate of over 200.