Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Fails to Impress Again as India Suffer Historic Top-Order Collapse Against England in 3rd T20I

Trent Bridge, July 7: Teen India sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi once again failed to make an impact with the bat as the young opener was dismissed for 13 off five balls against England in the third T20I at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Tuesday (July 7).

The 15-year-old struck two sixes during his brief stay but once again failed to convert an aggressive start into a substantial innings as India suffered a historic top-order collapse while chasing a daunting 202.

Sooryavanshi's second appearance in international cricket ended in disappointment as the left-handed batter once again failed to spend significant time at the crease in the T20I series against England.

The 15-year-old had shown glimpses of his enormous potential on his international debut at Old Trafford, scoring 14 off 10 deliveries with two sixes. However, there was no significant improvement in his second outing as Sooryavanshi was dismissed for 13 off just five balls at Trent Bridge.

Once again, the youngster struck two sixes before making an early departure.

Sooryavanshi's dismissal added to India's problems in a disastrous start to their chase of 202. The Men in Blue lost five wickets inside the powerplay for the first time in their T20I history, leaving themselves with an enormous task after England had posted 201 for seven.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Starts With a Six Against Jofra Archer

India needed a strong start after captain Shreyas Iyer's decision to bowl first did not produce the desired result. England took advantage of the conditions and India's bowling attack to post an imposing 201 for seven in their allotted 20 overs.

India were consequently left needing 202 to win, which would have been their biggest successful run chase in T20I cricket.

Sooryavanshi opened the innings alongside Abhishek Sharma and immediately found himself facing the considerable challenge of Jofra Archer.

The England pacer tested the youngster with a 144kph bouncer on the fifth delivery of the opening over. Sooryavanshi attempted to take on the short ball but was late on the pull and beaten by Archer's pace.

However, the youngster responded in typically fearless fashion on the very next delivery.

Archer delivered another quick ball at 146kph outside off stump and Sooryavanshi threw his hands at it. The ball flew over the third-man boundary for six as the youngster opened his account in international cricket with another demonstration of his remarkable hitting ability. In his debut knock as well, Sooryavanshi smashed his maiden international six against Archer, his fellow Rajasthan Royals teammate.

Sooryavanshi Takes On Josh Tongue

The young opener continued his aggressive approach against Josh Tongue in the second over. Tongue bowled a 140kph delivery full and in Sooryavanshi's hitting arc. The left-hander brought his wrists into play and powerfully whipped the ball over deep midwicket for his second six.

However, India lost Abhishek Sharma in the same over. The left-handed opener was dismissed for 10 off four deliveries as India suffered their first setback of the run chase. India reached 24 for one at the end of two overs.

Sooryavanshi was unbeaten on 13 off just four deliveries and team hoped for a rapid start they desperately needed in pursuit of the massive target. But his innings lasted only one more ball.

Jofra Archer Ends Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Brief Stay

Archer returned for his second over and immediately went back to the short-ball strategy that had troubled Sooryavanshi in the opening over. The England fast bowler delivered a 144kph short ball and Sooryavanshi attempted to play the pull shot.

This time, the youngster could only manage a glove on the ball. England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler moved to his right and completed the catch as Sooryavanshi's brief innings came to an end.

The 15-year-old walked back after scoring 13 off five deliveries, including two sixes.

While the youngster's strike rate and ability to clear the boundary were once again impressive, his failure to build a meaningful innings meant India lost another crucial wicket during the powerplay.

Two Matches, Two Similar Innings for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

The similarities between Sooryavanshi's first two international innings are difficult to ignore.

On his debut in the second T20I at Old Trafford, the youngster scored 14 off 10 deliveries and struck two sixes.

In Nottingham, he scored 13 off five balls and once again hit two maximums.

Sooryavanshi has therefore scored 27 runs from 15 deliveries in his first two T20I innings, hitting four sixes.

The numbers demonstrate the youngster's extraordinary ability to attack bowlers from the outset. However, they also highlight his failure to convert promising starts into significant contributions.

At Old Trafford, England spinner Will Jacks used Sooryavanshi's aggression against him.

The youngster charged down the pitch, but Jacks pushed the ball through flat and outside off stump. Sooryavanshi failed to make contact and Buttler completed the stumping.

At Trent Bridge, it was Archer who brought an early end to his innings.

The England pacer tested him with the short ball twice. After beating Sooryavanshi for pace in the opening over, Archer returned to the same plan and dismissed the youngster when he attempted another pull shot.