Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's India Debut Delayed; First T20I Washed Out

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's wait for his India debut continued as the 15-year-old was once again left out of the playing XI for the first T20I against England.

Despite being one of the standout performers in the 2026 IPL, where he scored 776 runs in 16 innings and was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, the young batter will have to wait longer for his chance at the international level.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar believes the continued wait could increase the pressure on the teenager whenever he finally gets an opportunity. However, he also feels that Sooryavanshi's age could help him deal with expectations better.

"It (the delay) will put him under more pressure whenever he gets an opportunity. But at 15 years of age, you don't think too much about pressure. He knows that if he gets the opportunity in the second or third game, he will have to deliver almost immediately. That's there. But he is happy to be around. This Indian team is full of lovely, tremendous players, and it is just fantastic for him to be learning from them," Gavaskar said on Sony Sports Network.

If Sooryavanshi gets to play later in the series, he will become the youngest player to feature in a top-level men's T20 international, surpassing Ireland's Joshua Little. He would also become the youngest player to represent India's senior men's team, breaking a record that has stood since Sachin Tendulkar made his international debut at 16.

Meanwhile, the opening T20I between India and England was abandoned due to persistent rain, resulting in no result.

Rain began towards the end of India's innings and intensified thereafter, forcing the umpires to call off the match with little time remaining before the cut-off for a five-over contest.

Before the washout, India posted a competitive 189 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs. Captain Shreyas Iyer led the charge with a 47-ball 68, while opener Abhishek Sharma contributed 59. Shivam Dube provided a late flourish with an unbeaten 42 off just 21 deliveries.

England pacer Saqib Mahmood was the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of 3 for 33.

The second match of the five-game T20I series will be played in Manchester on July 4.