NEW DELHI: Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president Rajiv Shukla has defended the selection process after teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made his India debut, saying the board gives opportunities purely on merit.Shukla dismissed social media claims that Sooryavanshi was being unfairly overlooked and said he had always believed the youngster would get his chance at the right time.“Huge congratulations to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on his debut and for receiving this opportunity. The BCCI does not treat anyone unfairly; those who deserve it get their chance. There was a lot of uproar on social media claiming that opportunities weren’t being given; people were criticising both the coach and the captain. But that wasn’t the case,” Shukla told ANI.He added that he was confident Sooryavanshi would make the most of the opportunity.“I had said just the other day that when the right moment arrived, he would certainly get his chance, and yesterday, he did. I believe he will perform well in the future and truly come into his own. It is an excellent decision by the team management, and we should appreciate it,” he said.
Youngest India international
Sooryavanshi created history after being named in India’s playing XI for the second T20I against England in Manchester.At 15 years and 99 days, the Bihar batter became the youngest player to represent India in international cricket across all formats. He also became the youngest player from a Test-playing nation to make his T20I debut.The left-handed opener made an entertaining start to his international career, scoring 14 off 10 balls with two sixes before being stumped by Will Jacks.In the process, he surpassed the previous records held by Sachin Tendulkar and Piyush Chawla to become India’s youngest international cricketer.
England take series lead
India posted 190/7 after useful contributions from Abhishek Sharma (43), Shreyas Iyer (37), Ishan Kishan (49) and Tilak Varma, who remained unbeaten on 24 off 11 balls. Sam Curran starred with the ball for England, returning figures of 3/33.England’s chase got off to a nightmare start as Phil Salt and Jos Buttler were dismissed for ducks in the opening over – the first time both England openers had fallen for ducks in a T20I innings.Captain Harry Brook then changed the momentum with a blistering 39 off just 15 balls before Jacob Bethell anchored the chase with an unbeaten 76 off 46 deliveries. Bethell shared a crucial partnership with Tom Banton (39) before finishing the game alongside Jofra Archer.England reached the target in 19 overs to win by four wickets and take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series after the opening T20I was washed out.