India batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became the youngest player to represent the country after receiving his maiden international cap ahead of Saturday's Twenty20 International against England in Manchester, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's long-standing record.
At just 15 years, 3 months and 7 days, the left-handed opener from Bihar surpassed Shafali Verma to become India's youngest international debutant. His selection is the latest reward for a breakthrough year that has transformed him from a promising teenager into one of the country's most exciting young cricketers.
The left-hander was presented his cap by teammate Tilak Varma before the start of the match, becoming India's 122nd men's T20 international and its youngest international cricketer at 15 years and 99 days. Sooryavanshi's debut eclipses one of Indian cricket's most enduring milestones.
Tendulkar was 16 when he made his international debut in a test match against Pakistan in Karachi in November 1989 before going on to become one of the game's greatest players.
Widely regarded as one of India's brightest prospects, Sooryavanshi earned his first senior call-up after a meteoric rise that began with a blistering 35-ball century in the Indian Premier League (IPL) last year.
The teenager further enhanced his reputation in this year's IPL, finishing as the tournament's leading run-scorer with a strike rate of more than 237 and setting a competition record by hitting 72 sixes.
His performances prompted growing calls for a place in the national side, though selectors resisted fast-tracking him and waited until he turned 15 in March before naming him in India's squads for the T20 series in Ireland and England.
Sooryavanshi did not feature in either match against Ireland, remaining on the sidelines as India suffered a shock 2-0 series defeat.
He was handed his opportunity against England in the second match of the five-game series after the opener at Old Trafford ended without a result, leaving the contest level at 0-0.
Reuters