With Vaibhav Sooryavanshi breathing down his neck, Sanju Samson will be under pressure to change the frequent busts in his performance graph into continuous booms as India take on England in the second T20 International in Manchester on Saturday.
At the Chester-Le-Street in Durham, India scored a competitive 189/7 thanks to half-centuries from captain Shreyas Iyer and Abhishek Sharma, leading to the abandonment of the first game.
However, the focus of attention throughout the next few games will be Sanju Samson and if he can weather the Sooryavanshi storm that is building up on the sidelines. In an alternate universe, Kerala’s most “globally followed” athlete would have had a year’s worth of respite after three consecutive game-winning knocks in India’s T20 World Cup victory.
However, Samson’s margin for error has shrunk and the T20 World Cup halo is insufficient to save him now that Indian cricket has recognized Sooryavanshi’s generational brilliance. Samson is under tremendous pressure to score some runs after Abhishek Sharma smashed his way to 49 and 59 in two of the previous three games.
Samson looked awful in the first game that was called off, scoring just 1 run off 7 balls, and he never once appeared to be attempting to take the high-risk, high-reward path. When Samson performs on seaming tracks, his technical shortcomings don’t inspire much confidence. Ireland’s unheralded Jai Moondra, who actually comes from Rajasthan’s Tonk, had displayed his frailties during successive games with deliveries that drifted off the surface.
In case of Samson, the occasional great scores have always been bordered by a succession of low returns on either side and that has been his biggest nightmare. The team management is in no hurry to rush 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, but keeping him on the bench for another couple of matches could become increasingly difficult to justify. And then, in this batting order, it is not just Samson who is struggling for runs.
Another problem is the extremely gifted Tilak Varma’s restrained style in the middle overs. Varma simply looks incapable of boosting the scoring rate if slow bowlers come into the attack or seamers take pace off their deliveries.
In 12 T20I games in 2026, Varma has been able to hit only 12 sixes — which is one every game. And for anyone who is perceived as a finisher, that number is not good.
Since the Old Trafford surface provides some grip and wrist spinners have enjoyed themselves there, it is doubtful that the bowling department would undergo any adjustments. Interestingly, Kuldeep Yadav, who is not in this Indian team, has the best bowling figures in any Twenty20 International at Old Trafford.
The Indian onslaught can be repelled by England’s potent batting lineup, which is led by captain Harry Brook and the formidable combination of Phil Salt and Tom Banton. However, Sooryavanshi is now again surrounded by mystery. The question of whether or not to play is still unanswered.
India vs England Head-to-Head:
In 31 Twenty20 Internationals between India and England, India has prevailed 18 times while England has won 12. Rain forced the cancellation of one match.
India vs England Pitch Report:
The Old Trafford pitch is often a belter that benefits batsmen, but it also gives bounce and early swing for quick bowlers. The surface normally plays true, allowing batters to hit through the line, and the spinners get some aid as the game goes on.
India vs England Weather Report:
On match day, there is a 25% chance of precipitation in Manchester, according to AccuWeather. Early in the morning, there is a chance of rain, but it should stop long before the game begins. Temperatures are hovering about 20°C. Conditions will remain largely cloudy.
India vs England Probable XIs:
India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan (WK), Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav
England: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (WK), Harry Brook (C), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Will Jacks, Sam Curran, Jofra Archer, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue
FAQs:
When is the 2nd T20I between India and England scheduled?
The 2nd T20I between India and England is scheduled on Saturday, July 3, 2026.
What time does the 2nd T20I between India and England scheduled to start?
The 2nd T20I between India and England will start at 7:00 PM IST.
Where is the 2nd T20I between India and England scheduled to take place?
The 2nd T20I between India and England is scheduled to be played at Old Trafford, Manchester.
Which TV channel will broadcast the 2nd T20I between India and England?
The 2nd T20I between India and England will be broadcast on Sony Sports Network.
Where can one catch the live streaming of the 2nd T20I between India and England?
The live streaming of the 2nd T20I between India and England will be available on Jio Hotstar.
