Sooryavanshi 18-ball fifty tops ‘tremendous’ India T20 win against Zimbabwe

What the report says

Al Jazeera, citing AFP, reported that India opened their three-match Twenty20 series against Zimbabwe with a seven-wicket win at Harare Sports Club on Thursday, led by a rapid maiden T20 international half-century from 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Zimbabwe, sent in after losing the toss, reached 125-7 from 20 overs, with all-rounder Wessly Madhevere making 39.

Sooryavanshi, described as an Indian prodigy, struck four sixes and four fours in an 18-ball 50 as India chased the target with 40 balls remaining, finishing on 126-3. He was dismissed with the score at 68-2, edging Richard Ngarava to deep third man, where Ben Curran took the catch. Ishan Kishan added 35 and captain Shreyas Iyer finished unbeaten on 28 to complete the chase.

The result was significant for India after a poor recent T20I run. Al Jazeera reported that Sooryavanshi had become the youngest player to represent India when he debuted earlier in July during a 4-0 series defeat in England, where he scored 42 runs across three innings. Before that, India had also lost a T20I series 2-0 in Ireland.

For Iyer, the victory ended a seven-match winless stretch since taking over as captain of the reigning T20 world champions. Zimbabwe’s innings was anchored late by a 58-run sixth-wicket partnership between Madhevere and Tadiwanashe Marumani, who was 27 not out, before Madhevere was run out attempting a second run.