Bethell spoils teenage star's day as England edge India

India's Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
India's 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made his T20 debut as an opener against England -AP

Jacob Bethell guided England to an impressive four-wicket victory in the second T20 international as 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made his eagerly-awaited debut for India at Old Trafford.

Sooryavanshi, the leading run scorer in the IPL this season, hit ‌two sixes in a 10-ball 14 but it was Bethell who stole the show as England chased down a victory target of 191 with an over ‌to spare.

The 22-year-old Bethell hit a thunderous unbeaten 76 from 46 balls, including five sixes, after Sam Curran had restricted India with 3-33 – his best figures in ‌England in a T20 international.

Old Trafford was chosen as the stage for Sooryavanshi's unveiling as he became India's youngest cricketer at 15 years and 99 days, breaking the record of Sachin Tendulkar.

His first two balls from Josh Tongue beat him outside the off stump and the third went for four wides down the leg side. His first run in international cricket came off the next ball via a thick ‌inside edge.

Next came ‌the challenge of facing recalled paceman Jofra Archer which he met by getting down on one ​knee and helping his delivery over fine leg for six before another maximum from the first ball of Tongue's next over.

But spin proved to be Sooryavanshi's undoing. Advancing to Will Jacks he was stumped by wicketkeeper Jos Buttler but only after the young left-hander had played his part in an opening stand of 50 in 4.5 overs with Abhishek Sharma (43).

Kishan ​Ishan top-scored with ‌49 for India with captain Shreyas Iyer making 37 while Tilak Varma provided 24 off 11 balls as India reached 7-190 in their 20 overs.

Arshdeep Singh removed both England's openers for ducks in the first over, Phil Salt edging to wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan ​and ​Buttler clipping to Varun Chakravarthy at mid-wicket.

England's skipper Harry Brook struck Arshdeep for three ‌sixes in his next over but was caught behind sweeping Axar Patel on review for 39 off 15 balls.

Bethell hit Ravi Bishnoi with sixes ​off free hits from two back-foot no balls from the leg spinner. The 17th over went for 29 and from there England made it home ​despite losing Curran, caught by Sooryavanshi.

The third and final T20 in the series takes place at Trent ​Bridge on Tuesday.