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Vaibhav Suryavanshi is likely to make his Team India debut in the second match of the five-match T20 series against England at the Old Trafford Cricket Stadium tonight. He missed the match against Ireland and the previous match in Durham, delaying his much-awaited debut.
Before the second match in Manchester, all eyes were on the nets, because from there some hints about the playing eleven could be given. Batting seems to be a major concern for the Indian cricket team. India lost the T20 series against Ireland due to opener Sanju Samson and an unstable middle order. Sanju Samson was out cheaply against England in Durham also.
Who will be dropped for Vaibhav Suryavanshi?
Due to the run drought of the experienced keeper-batsman, many had suggested that the team management show faith in 15-year-old Vaibhav, who had very good performances with Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2026 season and then with the India A cricket team during the triangular ODI series in Sri Lanka.
When the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee announced the name of the young opening batsman for the T20Is, a series of debates erupted over the possible playing combinations due to multiple contenders for the top-order batting slot.
Team India can make many changes in its playing eleven.
Sanju Samson’s poor form is being considered as a golden opportunity for Vaibhav Suryavanshi to debut with the Men in Blue. Before the second match, Vaibhav sweated it out in the nets like other batsmen of the team who are expected to play the match in Manchester.
During the training session, he was seen in the middle with head coach Gautam Gambhir. At that time, Vaibhav Suryavanshi was like an enthusiastic student as the head coach discussed something with him.
A reshuffle is possible in the Indian batting order against England tonight. What will be the future of Sanju Samson if Vaibhav joins the playing eleven? Sanju Samson, who made India win the 2026 T20 World Cup, can be fielded in the middle order. During the last Asia Cup, Samson played in the middle order, so he has the experience of playing as a middle-order batsman.
Manchester, we are ready! motiv
All about intensity as we prepare for the 2nd T20I #TeamIndia | #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/EuT4Rgf62A
– BCCI (@BCCI) July 4, 2026
The middle order of the Indian cricket team looked a bit shaky so far on the UK tour. The team management may try to strengthen the middle-order combination with Sanju Samson. There is a possibility of a combination of Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Suryavanshi as opening batsmen.
Tilak Verma likely to be removed
If both Vaibhav and Sanju are included in the playing eleven then who will be dropped from the team? It could be Tilak Verma, who tried brilliantly with the bat in Ireland, who is likely to be dropped from the combination.
The bowling combination is likely to remain unchanged, with Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel and Shivam Dubey. Suryansh Shedge, who made his debut for Team India against Ireland, can continue as a batting all-rounder against England.
India’s probable playing XI for 2nd roundRa 5 match T20I:
Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dubey, Akshar Patel, Suryansh Shedge, Varun Chakraborty, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh.