Bethell’s 76 guides England past India in second T20I as Sooryavanshi debuts at 15

Jacob Bethell walked out with England in deep trouble—51 for three. The 22-year-old had other ideas. At Emirates Old Trafford, he struck an unbeaten 76 off 46 balls—five fours and five sixes—to steer England to a four-wicket victory with an over to spare in the second T20I.

England’s chase had fallen apart. Arshdeep Singh took Phil Salt and Jos Buttler for ducks in the opening over, and suddenly the hosts were reeling. Harry Brook fought back with a brutal 39 from 15 balls—four fours and three sixes—but it was Bethell’s arrival at the crease with the score at 51 for three that changed everything.

India had posted 191 runs, built on Ishan Kishan’s 49 and Abishek Sharma’s 43. Sam Curran took three for 33, removing Kishan and Shivam Dube among others, which helped keep India’s total in check—though on a ground built for aggressive batting, 191 remained a serious challenge.

Bethell’s innings was controlled yet explosive. He had Jofra Archer supporting him through the closing overs, the partnership showing exactly why England’s lower-middle order is their trump card. Ravi Bishnoi’s 17th over went for 29 runs—a costly spell that swung the match decisively England’s way.

The win puts England 1-0 up in the five-match series. Yet the story that will linger is India’s: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made his international debut at 15 years and 99 days old, becoming India’s youngest men’s player and breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record. The teenager contributed 14 from 10 balls with two sixes before Jos Buttler stumped him off Will Jacks.

England also handed a debut to Josh Tongue—a match that belonged equally to the old guard and the young guns on both sides.