Jacob Bethel spoiled Sooryavanshi’s debut party, handing the T20 champions their third straight loss
England’s T20 batting star Jacob Bethell proved to be India’s nemesis yet again, guiding the hosts to a four-wicket victory in the second T20I at Old Trafford on Saturday. The win handed the reigning T20 champions their third straight defeat and gave England a 1-0 lead in the five-match series after the opening match was swept. While the competition revolved around 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s historic debut, Bethell’s unsurpassed masterclass ended up stealing the show.
IND vs ENG, 2nd T20I: Highlights I Scorecard
It all started with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi making history when the 15-year-old became the youngest Indian cricketer to represent the country, breaking Shafali Verma’s overall record and Sachin Tendulkar’s record among Indian men. He replaced Sanju Samson who failed to make his mark in the last three T20Is.
After India opted to bat alongside Abhishek Sharma, the youngster showed his fearless intent with two sixes before Will Jacks stumped him for 14 balls off the 10th over.
While Sooryavanshi’s debut was short-lived, Abhishek Sharma – vastly more experienced despite being another young face – took the lead and recovered from a testing start against the pace of Jofra Archer to make 43 off 24 balls. The opening pair added 50 runs in 4.5 overs before India reached 65 for 2 at the end of the powerplay, with Abhishek falling on the last ball of the infield restriction.
England gradually struggled with control as the surface began to offer extra grip and variable bounce. Shreyas Iyer’s fluent 37 and Ishan Kishan’s hard-fought 49 anchored the innings through a 65-run partnership, but the boundaries dried up during the middle overs. Sam Curran’s clever changes of pace proved particularly effective as he finished with 3 for 33, while Will Jacks, Liam Dawson and Jofra Archer took a wicket each.
India seemed destined for a lower total before Tilak Varma provided the final boom. His unbeaten 24 off just 11 balls, including 17 runs in the final over against Archer, helped India grab 23 runs off the last seven deliveries to reach a competitive 190 for 7.
BETHEL’S BRILLIANCE STRENGTH ENGLAND HOME
The chase could not have started worse for the hosts as Phil Salt and Jos Buttler were removed by Arshdeep Singh in a sensational opening. Harry Brook, however, launched a brutal counter-attack and smashed Arshdeep for 27 runs, including three sixes and two boundaries, to soon go England’s way.
Axar Patel, who finished with figures of 1/20 in his four overs, eventually ended Brook’s charge on 39 with a smart dismissal down the leg side, but not before the England skipper had built a strong platform.
However, Jacob Bethell had settled well into the center of the action by then and combined with Tom Banton in a decisive 67-run stand that kept England firmly in control of the chase.
On a slippery surface that helped the spinners far more than the pacer, India’s spinners Ravi Bishnoi and Varun Chakravarthy struggled to keep the runs flowing while Bethell played with composure and authority. Only Axar held on while Chakravarthy provided a late breakthrough by eliminating Will Jacks in the final.
Despite India pulling back in the 13th over with Arshdeep’s reintroduction, Bethell’s control and timing ensured there was no real collapse. The left-hander remained unbeaten on 76 off 46 balls, hitting five sixes and five fours as he steered England to a comfortable chase. His knock sealed a four-wicket win with aplomb and gave the hosts a 1-0 series lead.
It was the third straight defeat for the T20 champions under new captain Shreyas Iyer, following a series whitewash against Ireland. India next face England on Tuesday July 7 in Nottingham.
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Published on:
04 Jul 2026 23:10 IST