After Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s India debut, BCCI vice-president sends a strong message to critics

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (BCCI Photo) 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.Rejecting social media claims that Sooryavanshi was being unfairly overlooked, Shukla said he always believed the youngster would get his chance at the right time.“Big congratulations to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on his debut and getting this opportunity. BCCI is not unfair to anyone; those who deserve it will get their chance. There was a lot of uproar on social media that opportunities were not given; people criticized both the coach and the captain. But that was not the case,” Shukla told ANI.He added that he is confident that Sooryavanshi will make the most of the opportunity.“Just recently I said that when the moment is right, he will definitely get his chance and yesterday he did. I believe he will perform well in the future and really come into his own. It’s an excellent decision by the team management and we should appreciate it,” he said.

India’s youngest international representative

Sooryavanshi created history after being named in India’s playing eleven for the second T20I against England in Manchester.At 15 years and 99 days, the Bihar batsman became the youngest player to represent India in international cricket across all formats. He also became the youngest player from a Test country 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 bowled by Will Jacks.In the process, he broke the previous records held by Sachin Tendulkar and Piyush Chawla to become India’s youngest international cricketer.

England take the lead in the series

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 bowled for England and returned with 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 vital partnership with Tom Banton (39) before completing 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 dropping the opening T20I.