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Tuesday, 07 July 2026

✓ Verified source: India Today · 21:22 IST · Tuesday, 07 July 2026

India vs England 3rd T20I: All eyes on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to deliver big runs on debut

India vs England 3rd T20I: All eyes on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to deliver big runs on debut
Photo: Prime Minister's Office / Wikimedia Commons via Pexels (free license)

Key facts

  • Vaibhav Sooryavanshi making his India T20I debut vs England
  • AB de Villiers said Sooryavanshi 'looked at home' on debut
  • De Villiers fears youngster may choose T20 format over longer formats

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became the focal point of India's third T20I against England, with the teenager making his international debut and carrying the weight of enormous expectation. The young batter has been one of the most talked-about names in Indian cricket for months, and his inclusion in the playing XI for this contest underlines just how highly the team management rates his potential.

Sooryavanshi's debut comes off the back of eye-catching performances in domestic cricket and the IPL, where his aggressive, strokeful batting at the top of the order drew widespread attention. Former South Africa and RCB great AB de Villiers, commenting on the occasion, said the youngster 'looked at home' on his India debut — high praise from one of cricket's all-time entertainers.

De Villiers did also flag a concern shared by many observers: that Sooryavanshi might be tempted to focus primarily on the T20 format, which he described as the 'easier' choice, rather than pursuing the longer formats that truly test a batter's all-round credentials. 'The choice is quite obvious,' de Villiers was quoted as saying, reflecting fears that the pull of franchise T20 cricket could steer the youngster away from Test cricket.

For now, however, the focus is squarely on the pitch. India's selectors and fans alike will be watching closely to see whether Sooryavanshi can translate his domestic brilliance onto the international stage against England.

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This is a summary brief. Original reporting and all facts: India Today.

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