The 15-year-old opener powers India to a 35-run victory in Harare, securing a 3-0 series whitewash.
HARARE : Fifteen-year-old batting phenom Vaibhav Sooryavanshi produced a fiery 81 off 49 balls to power India to a 35-run victory over Zimbabwe on Sunday, capping a dominant 3-0 Twenty20 International series sweep at Harare Sports Club.
Choosing to bat after winning the toss, India posted a formidable 192 for 5 in 20 overs. Sooryavanshi set the tone from the opening delivery, driving Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza to the boundary and reaching his second half-century in four days off just 31 deliveries. His explosive innings featured eight boundaries and four sixes before he was caught at long-off by Brad Evans off spinner Wessly Madhevere in the 14th over.
Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan provided solid middle-order support with a crisp 29 off four boundaries before being bowled by Raza. Evans finished as Zimbabwe’s most successful bowler, taking 2 for 41.
In response, Zimbabwe stumbled early in their chase of 193, crumbling to 65 for 4. India’s seam attack made rapid inroads, removing opener Brian Bennett and captain Raza for golden ducks. Fast bowler Mayank Yadav led the Indian bowling performance, claiming 3 for 28 in his four overs.
A 60-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Madhevere (28) and Ryan Burl temporarily steadied the host side. Burl finished unbeaten on 54 off lower-order resilience, but Zimbabwe ultimately fell well short, finishing on 157 for 7 after 20 overs.
The convincing series triumph completes a strong turnaround for the Indian squad following earlier T20I series setbacks in Ireland and England. For Zimbabwe, currently ranked 12th in the ICC Men’s T20I team rankings, it marks a second consecutive home series defeat following a 2-1 loss to Bangladesh.
Sooryavanshi, the youngest player ever to represent India in international cricket, capped an extraordinary tour of southern Africa. Having made his international debut during the tour of England, the teenager scored a rapid 18-ball fifty in the series opener against Zimbabwe, followed by a quickfire 20 in the second match, cementing his status as one of international cricket’s most promising young talents.
