The Rajasthan Royals opener shared an Instagram story featuring himself batting in India’s blue jersey with the caption “New chapter.” The post quickly attracted widespread attention, with fans interpreting it as a possible indication that he may be included in India’s playing XI for the match at Old Trafford in Manchester.

Sooryavanshi earned his maiden senior national call-up after a prolific Indian Premier League campaign in 2026 but is yet to make his international debut. He was not selected for either of India’s two T20 Internationals against Ireland and also missed the opening match of the England series, which ended without a result after rain interrupted England’s chase.

According to reports, the teenager has been among the most diligent performers during India’s training sessions in England, spending extended periods in the practice nets and displaying impressive form with the bat.

Indian team officials have previously indicated that they do not intend to rush the young batter’s transition into international cricket despite his rapid rise through the domestic ranks. Nevertheless, his performances in training have continued to generate interest ahead of the second match of the series.

Sooryavanshi emerged as one of the standout performers in the 2026 IPL season while representing Rajasthan Royals. The left-handed opener scored 776 runs at a strike rate of 237.30, performances that earned him his first call-up to the senior Indian squad.

The opening T20I against England was abandoned after rain prevented a result, leaving the series evenly poised and increasing attention on India’s team selection for Saturday’s contest.

While Sooryavanshi’s Instagram post has fueled widespread discussion among supporters, neither the Board of Control for Cricket in India nor the team management has announced the playing XI or confirmed whether the teenager will make his international debut.

India’s final team selection for the second T20I is expected to determine whether one of the country’s brightest young batting prospects begins his international career in Manchester.

Chasing a target of 202, the 15-year-old reached a half-century in just 15 balls, hitting eight fours and seven sixes as Rajasthan overhauled the total with two overs to spare. His aggressive innings set the foundation for a comfortable chase despite a brief middle-order wobble.

Sooryavanshi, who scored a 35-ball century in his debut season last year, has quickly emerged as one of the standout performers this season. He has amassed 200 runs in four innings at a strike rate exceeding 260, topping the run charts early in the campaign.

Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel played a supporting role with an unbeaten 81 off 43 balls, anchoring the innings after Rajasthan slipped from 129-1 to 134-4. The pair’s 108-run partnership proved decisive in the chase.

Sooryavanshi earlier dominated top bowlers including Jasprit Bumrah and continued his attacking approach against Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood, striking multiple boundaries early in his innings.

Spinner Krunal Pandya briefly slowed Rajasthan’s momentum by removing Sooryavanshi and triggering a collapse, but Jurel ensured there were no further setbacks.

The win keeps Rajasthan Royals unbeaten at the top of the standings, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru remain in third place.

Electing to bat, Sri Lanka were bundled out for a paltry 50 in 15.2 overs with five batters getting ducks in their sorry-looking scorecard with Siraj the wrecker-in-chief.

Siraj’s fiery display of pace bowling was best illustrated in his second over when the right-arm quick dismissed Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka and Dhananjaya de Silva.

Hardik Pandya bagged three wickets while Jasprit Bumrah claimed one as Sri Lanka registered their second lowest total in one-day internationals, lasting only 92 balls.

India needed 6.1 overs to achieve the target for a timely boost before their home World Cup beginning next month.

“It’s like a dream,” Siraj, who became only the fourth bowler to take four wickets in an over in ODIs, said after the Sri Lanka innings.

“I got four early wickets last time I played Sri Lanka (earlier this year) but unfortunately I could not register a five-wicket haul.

“I realised you get whatever is in your destiny. I just tried to bowl my line and length, and wickets kept coming.

“The ball did not swing much in the early matches here but today it swung a lot. My effort was to draw the batters forward and make them play the ball.”

Bumrah removed Kusal Perera in the first over to trigger a collapse and the Sri Lanka batters looked helpless as Siraj breathed fire with the new ball.

Only Kusal Mendis (17) and Dushan Hemanta, who made 13 not out, managed double digits for the home side.

India skipper Rohit Sharma held himself back and sent out Ishan Kishan to open the innings with Shubman Gill, opting for a left-right opening stand.

The openers scored freely to ensure there was no drama and Kishan, who made 23 not out, scored the winning run of the summit clash, which lasted only 21.3 overs.

Gill, the tournament’s leading scorer, remained unbeaten on 27.

Sri Lanka coach Chris Silverwood bemoaned his team’s “below-par” performance with the bat.

“The way we got dismissed is very disappointing. I think there’s a lot of reflection to be done in the dressing room,” he said.

“I thought Siraj was superb … the Indian bowlers made our life difficult but, at the same time, I think we made our own life difficult as well.”

India host Australia in a three-match ODI series later this match and the teams will clash again on Oct. 8 in their World Cup opener in Chennai.

The tourists, who won the first test by an innings and 141 runs in Dominica, looked well-placed to push for victory after setting West Indies a 365-run target and then reducing them to 76-2 on Sunday.

Persistent rain in the capital of Trinidad and Tobago kept the covers on the pitch for the whole of the fifth day, however, leaving India with only a 1-0 series win.

India paceman Mohammed Siraj was named Man of the Match for his 5-60 in West Indies first innings and spin-bowling all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin took series honours for his 15 wickets over two tests and a half century in his one innings.

It was the 100th test between the teams who next face off in three one-day internationals and five Twenty20 matches.

“We gave it a good shot, unfortunately we didn’t get any play today,” India captain Rohit Sharma said.

“Playing in West Indies has its own challenge. I’m happy with the way things went.”

He heaped praise on Siraj, who superbly led India’s inexperienced pace attack in the absence of a recovering Jasprit Bumrah and a rested Mohammed Shami.

“I have been watching him closely. He’s taken such a giant step and he has led this attack.”

“We’ve played consistent cricket. That’s what we are looking at. We want to focus on all three aspects of the game.”

While West Indies played better than in the opening test, when they were beaten inside three days, captain Kraigg Brathwaite said their bowling needed to improve.

“We showed some fight in this game with the bat. Bowling-wise, we can be more disciplined,” said the opener.

“It was a good comeback from the batters.”