The excitement around Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s possible India debut has grown so intense that every move he makes is being closely watched. As the teenager continues to wait for his first international cap, even regular training sessions are drawing heavy attention and sparking widespread speculation among fans. That attention intensified during India’s practice session in Manchester ahead of the must-win second T20I against England cricket team.
New footage of the 15-year-old batting surfaced, but unlike his earlier impressive training clips on the tour, this one painted a contrasting picture. The exclusive visuals were shared by The Cric Hub, with on-ground reporter Sandipan offering a detailed and candid assessment. His observations suggested the young batter may need to wait a little longer for his much-anticipated chance.
The first major talking point was Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s long wait, as he got his turn only after nearly 90 minutes despite being padded up well in advance. Sandipan noted a tactical shift in India’s training, with Vaibhav Suryavanshi batting in the latter half of the session in Manchester, unlike in Belfast and Durham. He faced mostly local net bowlers, with India’s main bowlers absent.
Despite the challenging session, Vaibhav Suryavanshi still showed glimpses of his undeniable talent. The reporter observed that he produced “some glorious shots” while handling the short-ball test, as India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak watched closely from nearby, carefully monitoring the youngster’s progress.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi also drew significant attention during India’s practice session after being seen bowling in the nets, underscoring his intent to develop into a more well-rounded cricketer. He remains eager to contribute with both bat and ball, showcasing his drive to improve. Watch the video here:
🚨 Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was seen bowling during India's practice session today. 👀🏏
Looks like the youngster is working on becoming an even more complete cricketer. If opportunities with the bat don't come immediately, he seems determined to contribute with the ball as well.
— The King 👑 (@lordkings_x) July 3, 2026
Vaibhav Suryavanshi Faces Tacky Practice Pitch After Scratchy Session
The most notable moment of the session, however, was a less impressive one. Vaibhav Suryavanshi was bowled during practice, prompting an immediate and honest assessment from the reporter. Sandipan remarked that the youngster looked slightly scratchy in the nets and admitted it was not his most fluent outing.
He was also quick to highlight the difficult batting conditions as an important factor. According to the reporter, the practice wickets were quite tacky, making timing extremely difficult, while the damp surface further added to the challenge of playing free-flowing shots.
Why did Vaibhav Sooryavanshi walk in late for India’s net session in Manchester?
Was it just part of the training plan, or could it be a hint that he’s in contention for a debut in the second T20I against England?
Our man on the ground, @im_sandipan , brings you these exclusive… pic.twitter.com/h4aJfeZ9LX
— The CricHub (@thecrichub_live) July 3, 2026
This scratchy outing was in sharp contrast to Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s earlier performances on the tour. Ahead of the rain-affected series opener in Durham, he was seen confidently stepping out and dispatching bowlers with remarkable ease, which fueled growing calls for his immediate inclusion in the playing XI.
All of this only adds to the biggest talking point ahead of the match. As the reporter noted, the key question before the second T20I in Manchester is whether Suryavanshi will finally make his debut, a debate many experts feel should now swing in his favor, especially after Sanju Samson’s recent struggles.
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