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Indian cricket welcomed a new record-holder on Saturday as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became the youngest player to represent the country in T20 Internationals. The 15-year-old received his first India cap ahead of the second T20I against England in Manchester, marking yet another significant milestone in his spectacular climb.
At 15 years, 3 months, and 7 days old, the left-handed opener from Bihar beat Shafali Verma to become India’s youngest international debutant. His selection is the latest recognition in a breakthrough year that has seen him go from a promising adolescent to one of the country’s most exciting young cricketers.
The young opener scored 776 runs in 16 matches, including a century and five half-centuries, and dominated bowling attacks with aggressive strokeplay. His power-hitting also allowed him to break Chris Gayle’s record for most sixes in a single IPL season, demonstrating his ability to turn a game around in a matter of overs.
His outstanding performance garnered him remarkable acclaim, as he became the first player in IPL history to win both the Most Valuable Player and Best Emerging Player accolades in the same season.
Ajit Agarkar, India’s chairman of selectors, stated that the youngster’s performances made him impossible to ignore. Agarkar praised Sooryavanshi’s match-winning abilities and poise under pressure, describing him as a genuine game-changer with a promising future. He went on to say that the teenager had “picked himself” with the weight of his performances.
“We’ve seen what he can do, towards playoffs, almost single-handedly carried Rajasthan Royals. Not just this season, [he] had a great start, and to back it up in a competition that is as competitive and high-pressure, he’s a game-changer. We’ve got high hopes of him, and he has picked himself,” Agarkar had said while announcing the squad.
Sooryavanshi, now wearing Indian colours for the first time, embarks on the next phase of an already incredible journey, with strong hopes that the young sensation may translate his domestic and franchise success to the worldwide scene.
Source: IANS
