NEW DELHI: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s dream became a reality on Saturday as the 15-year-old received his India debut cap ahead of the second T20I against England at Old Trafford in Manchester.The left-handed opener created history by becoming India’s youngest-ever international cricketer at 15 years and 99 days, breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s 36-year-old record.
Tilak Varma’s special message
Before the start of the match, India batter Tilak Varma presented Sooryavanshi with his debut cap and congratulated the teenager on the special occasion.“Congrats. Pehle cheez hai ki family ke liye aur tere liye bahut proud moment hai. Wo log bahut peeche mehnat kare hain. Bahut proud feel hota hai. Iss cap ko tune earn kiya hai talent aur determination ke saath. Play fearless cricket. Nothing changes here, Play with the right attitude. Make every Indian and country proud. Congratulations. Cap No. 122 – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. All the best,” Tilak said while giving the debut cap to Sooryavanshi.
‘Dream tha ye’
Speaking after receiving his debut cap, an emotional Sooryavanshi said playing for India had always been his biggest dream.“Kaafi accha lag raha hai. Dream tha ye. Kisi ke liye India khelna hi sabse badi baat hoti hai. Koi bhi cricket khelna start karta hai international cricket khelne ke aur apne country ko represent karne ke liye, to kaafi proud moment hai,” Sooryavanshi said in a video posted by BCCI.
‘Sabse pehle maine apne papa ko bataya’
The Bihar youngster revealed that his father was the first person he informed after learning that he would make his India debut.“Sabse pehle maine apne father ko jaakar room mein bataya. Unko jaakar bola. Wo saath mei stay kar rha hain. Unko sabse pehe bataya. Aur kisi se maine baat nahi ki. Aur jo bhi mere sir hain Romi (Bhinder) sir and mummy. Matlab mere jo saath rehte hain un sab ko bataya. But first maine pehle maine papa ko bataya.”Sooryavanshi also shared the message he received from his father before stepping onto the field.“Papa khush hue aur bole bas ki jo karte aa rahe abhi tak wahi karna. Pressure nahi hai, bas apne game ko back karna hai.”
A record-breaking debut
The teenager from Bihar earned his maiden India call-up after a sensational IPL 2026 season and was selected for the T20I squads for the tours of Ireland and England, as well as the Asian Games.By making his debut in Manchester, Sooryavanshi surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s record to become India’s youngest international cricketer. Overall, he is the second-youngest player from a Full Member nation to debut in international cricket, behind Pakistan’s Hasan Raza.Sooryavanshi made an attacking start, scoring 14 runs off 10 balls with two sixes.He announced himself by hitting Jofra Archer for a six over the wicketkeeper’s head before smashing another maximum off Josh Tongue.His innings ended in the fifth over when he charged down the track against Will Jacks but was beaten by the flight of the ball. Jos Buttler completed the stumping to end the teenager’s entertaining knock.
