The second T20I of the ongoing series against England, being played at Old Trafford in Manchester, produced a fresh piece of cricketing history. Fifteen-year-old Indian batsman Vaibhav Sooryavanshi got the nod to make his debut in this match, and the moment he pulled on his debut cap, he broke a record that had stood in the great Sachin Tendulkar's name. Vaibhav is now the youngest player to debut for India in men's international cricket, achieving the feat at the age of just 15 years and 99 days. His teammate Tilak Varma handed him the debut cap.
How Sachin's 37-year-old record fell
Until now, the record for the youngest debut for India in men's international cricket belonged to Sachin Tendulkar. Sachin had played his first match against Pakistan back in 1989, when he was just 16 years and 205 days old. Vaibhav, by walking out at 15 years and 99 days, has overtaken that 37-year-old record. Fans had been eagerly waiting for his debut ever since the series against Ireland, and in Manchester, that long-awaited moment finally arrived.
Youngest players to debut for India in international cricket
The list of the youngest players to debut for India in men's international cricket now reads as follows.
- 15 years 99 days, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi vs England, 2026
- 16 years 205 days, Sachin Tendulkar vs Pakistan, 1989
- 17 years 75 days, Piyush Chawla vs England, 2006
- 17 years 118 days, L Sivaramakrishnan vs West Indies, 1983
- 17 years 152 days, Parthiv Patel vs England, 2002
- 17 years 193 days, Maninder Singh vs Pakistan, 1982
A reward for standout form in the IPL and the Under-19 World Cup
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi did not earn this opportunity by chance, his bat has been in sensational form for a while now. In IPL 2026, he scored a total of 776 runs to win the Orange Cap, awarded to the tournament's leading run scorer. Before that, he had already made his mark in the Under-19 World Cup final, smashing 175 runs off just 80 balls. It was on the back of these outstanding performances that he earned his place in Team India, and now he has etched his name into the record books on debut itself. Fans are hoping Vaibhav continues to shine with the bat through the rest of this series against England and delivers a decisive contribution for the team.
