England vs India 3rd T20: India’s Fightback Challenge

The England wonder, a 15-year, 99-day-old, broke a record set by a young Sachin Tendulkar to become the youngest Indian to play for the nation in an international match at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground for the third 20-20 on today's  evening at the start of the third ODI between India and England. If it was any other week it would be a story all by itself. But it would never be easy, was the introduction. For fans following every milestone, Shiva Online Book offers access to match schedules, live scores, player statistics, and cricket updates.

Ten Balls, One Statement

Sooryavanshi clanged into the crease for 10 balls in the Manchester match. Sooryavanshi was at the crease for only 10 balls in Manchester. He scored 14. It's a small role, but it is worth the story's worth. But read closely, and it was a preview of everything that made Jofra Archer the most terrifying fast bowler in the world, someone who possesses the guile as well as the pace, and was able to put the first ball he was bowled at over thieves.

It wasn't a fluke. Archer's record as a batsman now knows the shots hit from him, as he is now in the company of a galaxy of big shooters who have been 'sixed' on the first ball they face from the opposition, such as Sooryavanshi, who has been named in the India for the second T20 World Cup. He, in the company of Abhishek Sharma, saved England for India the first time in Manchester but couldn't build upon the deliveries that came after that.

From IPL Sensation to Senior Colours

Just a year and a half ago, Sooryavanshi was basically a name synonymous with India's ‘Home-Grown Age-Group' scene, in which it served as the flag bearer. That changed fast. The club of Rajasthan Royals transformed him into one of the biggest names in the world of cricket, getting the broadcasters to change what they normally livestream on the ground; because if he hits the next one, what is it he'll do again?

Making a transition from franchise cricket to international colours is one of the toughest moves in cricket and to do so at an age where most players are still in school is one of the most critical situations. However, the initial indications — even when the two teams are behind now, and even if they end up playing in the rain, and even if they were away in England where technical weaknesses in young players should become evident — support the hype.

The stakes were high

The sense in the way in which India has dealt with this. A teenager who is establishing his career in England against some top-class bowling attack needs patience, not pressure. A teenager who is beginning to find his feet in England, against some of the very best possible bowling gear, needs patience – not pressure. On the contrary, India's batting has looked devoid of its firepower and of answers throughout this tour and it is exactly this type of X-factor that a struggling top order badly needed. Rumors began to swirl around the camp, and there is now a worry about whether it's a matter of 'if' or 'when' before he is able to bring that aggressive hitting out of the heat and find enjoyment in using bats in the big leagues.

Then there's a general discussion happening right now in Indian cricket circles on just how young is too young, and whether the current trend of chasing the next cricket genius is accelerating the path of the conventional upbringing of young batsmen. No matter what it is, Sooryavanshi's early moments of magic put the discussion on the front foot on the largest possible stage.

What Comes Next

The series will continue in Trent Bridge, then in Bristol, Southampton and then three ODIs later on, Sooryavanshi will have plenty of time to build his international career. In particular Trent Bridge has a history of rewarding clean, powerful hitting and he plays the type of game that small square boundaries and true bounce fit upon it. This is one of those tours where there is undoubtedly a ground which has been constructed for some special Sooryavanshi innings.

And there's also speculation quietly gaining in the open about whether he could be part of the Indian preparations for the ODI World Cup in the future — which, only months ago, was still considered too soon for a player who hasn't played at senior level. Now after 10 balls, 1 shot-winning six shot of one of the fastest bowlers in the world of cricket, it certainly doesn't sound premature. It sounds inevitable.

The Bigger Picture

The way India have done the tour to England has not been on course — gone awry at the starting match, hammered at Manchester and with a T20 side looking to put some things behind them following a rare rough patch. Yet against the backdrop of all this, there is a 15-year old who took the high king of bowling off with nothing introverted the first time the ball landed on his hands and in his feet; and the Indian fans have a reason to be excited about the future of their country and what lies beyond these and other series, this and other tours, and this generation and older one.

Conclusion

What is important to pause on is what kind of significance the age record really holds. India's youngest ever international says a lot when it comes to age. It's an impressive age progression that's being achieved by India being the youngest ever international cricketer even as it had just started the most successful career in the history of the sport. Records such as these are not broken frequently and when they are, they will say at least as much about the evolution of talent identification and development as they will about the player concerned. If Sooryavanshi had been of his age a generation ago, he would likely be many years away from even being signed to a franchise club, let alone to be considered for a repeat of the senior India role. 

The compression works both ways. It's about genuine outstanding talent getting propelled even quicker into places where they can make a difference, instead of sitting around in years of domestic cricket limited in provided challenges. Matchbox9 keeps cricket followers close to the game with timely scores, key player numbers, and match-day developments.