15-Year-Old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on the Cusp of India Debut Against England

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Harry Brook (Image credit: Agencies)

NEW DELHI: Will 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi finally wear the India jersey today? That is the big question ahead of the first T20I against England at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street, Durham. The youngster has been one of the biggest talking points before the five-match series, and even England captain Harry Brook was asked about him during the pre-match press conference.

England ready with a strategy

Although India have not confirmed whether Sooryavanshi will be part of the playing XI, England have already prepared for the possibility of facing the teenage batting sensation. Brook said his team has done plenty of homework on the left-handed opener. "We've got our tactics and hopefully they work," Brook said on the eve of the opening match. He added that England have carefully studied India's players to find ways to keep them quiet. "There's been a lot of digging behind the scenes to see what we can do to try and stop them from playing their best cricket," he added.

Record-breaking debut on the cards?

India begin the five-match T20I series against the three-time world champions England on Wednesday, with all eyes on whether Sooryavanshi gets his first international cap. The teenager earned his maiden India call-up after a sensational IPL season. He finished as the tournament's highest run-scorer, scoring 776 runs at a stunning strike rate of more than 230. His performances also earned him the Most Valuable Player and Emerging Player awards. If Sooryavanshi makes his debut during this series, he will become India's youngest international debutant, breaking the long-standing record held by Sachin Tendulkar, who made his India debut at the age of 16.