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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is likely to make his Team India debut in the ongoing second match of the five-match T20I series against England tonight at Old Trafford cricket stadium. He missed the matches against Ireland and the previous match in Durham, delaying the much-awaited debut.
Ahead of the second match in Manchester, eyes were on the nets, as there could be some hints about the playing XI. Batting appeared to be a major concern for the Indian cricket team. Opener Sanju Samson and the unstable middle-order cost India the T20I series against Ireland. Sanju Samson was dismissed cheaply against England in Durham as well.
Who will be dropped for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi?
Because of the run drought of the experienced keeper-batter, many had suggested that the team management show trust in the 15-year-old Vaibhav, who did extremely well in the IPL 2026 season with the Rajasthan Royals, and then with the India A cricket team in Sri Lanka during a tri-nation ODI series.
When the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee pronounced the young opener’s name for the T20Is, a series of debates ensued over the possible playing combination due to multiple contenders for the top-order batting slots.
Team India is likely to make multiple changes in their playing eleven
Sanju Samson’s off-form is considered a golden opportunity for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to make his debut with the Men in Blue. Ahead of the second match, Vaibhav sweated in the nets like the other batters of the team who are expected to play the match in Manchester.
During the training sessions, he was spotted with the head coach, Gautam Gambhir, in the middle. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was, at the time, like an ardent student as the head coach discussed something with him.
A shuffle in the Indian batting order is possible against England tonight. If Vaibhav joins the playing XI, then what will be the future of Sanju Samson? Sanju Samson, who helped India to win the 2026 T20 World Cup, can be dropped to the middle order. During the previous Asia Cup, Samson played in the middle order, so he has experience playing as a middle-order batter.
📍 Manchester, we're ready! 💪
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 4, 2026
🎥 All about the intensity as we gear up for the 2⃣nd T20I 🙌#TeamIndia | #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/EuT4Rgf62A
So far, in the UK tour, the middle order of the Indian cricket team looked a bit shaky. With Sanju Samson, the team management can try to strengthen the middle-order combination. As openers, the combination is likely to be Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Tilak Varma likely to be dropped
If Vaibhav and Sanju are both included in the playing eleven, then who will be dropped from the team? It can be Tilak Varma, who tried to perform promisingly with the bat in Ireland, who is likely to be dropped from the combination.
With Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel, and Shivam Dube, the bowling combination is likely to remain unchanged. Suryansh Shedge, who made his Team India debut against Ireland, can continue as a batting all-rounder against England.
India’s possible playing XI for the 2nd of the 5-match T20I:
Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dubey, Axar Patel, Suryansh Shedge, Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh.
