Bethell Spoils Sooryavanshi’s Debut, Extends T20 Champions’ Losing Run To Three

Jacob Bethell once again emerged as India’s nemesis, producing a match-winning unbeaten 76 as England defeated the reigning T20 champions by four wickets in the second T20I at Old Trafford on Saturday.

The victory handed England a 1-0 lead in the five-match series after the opener was washed out and condemned India to a third straight defeat under new captain Shreyas Iyer.

The evening had begun with history as 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became the youngest cricketer to play for India in international cricket, surpassing Shafali Verma’s overall record and Sachin Tendulkar’s mark among Indian men. Handed his debut ahead of Sanju Samson, the teenage opener showed little sign of nerves, launching two towering sixes before Will Jacks stumped him for 14 off 10 balls.

Despite Sooryavanshi’s early departure, India made an explosive start. Abhishek Sharma attacked from the other end, recovering from an early examination by Jofra Archer to score 43 off 24 balls. The opening pair raced to a 50-run stand in just 4.5 overs before Abhishek fell on the final delivery of the powerplay, leaving India at 65/2.

England, however, clawed their way back as the pitch began offering extra grip and inconsistent bounce. Shreyas Iyer struck a fluent 37, while Ishan Kishan anchored the middle overs with a composed 49 during a 65-run partnership. But India’s momentum stalled as boundaries became increasingly difficult to find.

Sam Curran exploited the conditions brilliantly, mixing his pace to claim 3/33, while Archer, Liam Dawson and Will Jacks chipped in with a wicket each.

India appeared headed for a below-par score before Tilak Varma provided the late fireworks. The left-hander smashed an unbeaten 24 off just 11 deliveries, including 17 runs in the final over against Archer, helping India collect 23 runs from the last seven balls to finish on a competitive 190/7.

Bethell Takes Centre Stage

England’s chase could hardly have started worse. Arshdeep Singh struck twice in the opening over to dismiss Phil Salt and Jos Buttler, silencing the Old Trafford crowd and giving India the perfect start.

Harry Brook quickly swung the momentum back, tearing into Arshdeep for 27 runs in his second over with three sixes and two fours. His counter-attacking 39 lifted the pressure before Axar Patel, who delivered an excellent spell of 1/20, dismissed the England skipper.

With the platform laid, Bethell took complete control of the chase.

The left-hander combined with Tom Banton for a crucial 67-run partnership, rotating the strike with maturity before punishing anything loose. As the surface increasingly favoured spin, Ravi Bishnoi and Varun Chakravarthy struggled to build pressure, allowing Bethell to dictate the chase with remarkable composure.

India briefly threatened a comeback when Arshdeep returned and Chakravarthy removed Will Jacks late in the innings, but Bethell never allowed the required rate to climb. The 21-year-old remained unbeaten on 76 from 46 balls, smashing five fours and five sixes to guide England home with an over to spare.

The victory gave England a 1-0 lead in the series and extended India’s losing streak to three T20Is following their recent whitewash against Ireland. Shreyas Iyer’s side will now look to bounce back in the third T20I in Nottingham on Tuesday, July 7.