India’s 15‑Year‑Old Breaks Sachin’s T20 Record, Yet Samson’s Spot Remains Controversial

New Delhi, July 5 – The Indian cricket board’s gamble on youth paid off when 15‑year‑old Vaibhav Suryavanshi made his debut in the second T20 against England. At 15 years and 99 days, Vaibhav set a new benchmark for the youngest male Indian international, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s 1989 milestone of 16 years and 205 days. In his maiden over, he compiled 14 runs from ten balls, signalling promise for the future.

Former batsman Sanjay Manjrekar applauded the move, but his celebration was tempered by criticism of the simultaneous exclusion of Sanju Samson. Samson, fresh from being named Player of the Tournament at the 2026 T20 World Cup for delivering three decisive innings, was dropped after a trio of lacklustre outings – two losses in the Ireland series and a quiet performance in the first England T20.

Manjrekar argued that Samson should have been slotted at No. 3 in the playing eleven, providing a stable platform for the side.

India’s defeat by four wickets in the second T20 has left the five‑match series dead‑locked, with the opening match lost to rain. The team now needs three straight victories to clinch the series or at least two wins to settle for a draw.