Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scripted history on Saturday by becoming the youngest player ever to represent India in international cricket. The 15-year-old made his T20I debut against England in Manchester, surpassing the long-standing record held by legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar.
Sooryavanshi was presented India cap No. 122 by teammate Tilak Varma during an emotional pre-match ceremony. In a heartfelt speech, Tilak praised the youngster’s hard work and urged him to enjoy the moment as he stepped onto the international stage for the first time.
A visibly emotional Sooryavanshi later revealed that the first person he informed after learning he would be part of the playing XI was his father. Calling it a dream come true, the Bihar-born cricketer said sharing the moment with his family made the occasion even more special.
At 15 years and 99 days, Sooryavanshi broke Sachin Tendulkar’s record of making his international debut at 16 years and 205 days in 1989. The left-handed batter has been regarded as one of India’s brightest young talents following his remarkable performances in domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League.
The historic debut was widely celebrated by fans and the cricket fraternity, with congratulatory messages pouring in across social media. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also shared the emotional cap presentation ceremony, describing it as a historic moment for Indian cricket.
