Vaibhav Sooryavanshi named Player of the Series in India-Zimbabwe T20I

Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi described winning the Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards as a “dream come true” after leading India to a 3-0 T20I series sweep against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday.

The 15-year-old opener scored a commanding 81 runs off 49 balls, including eight fours and four sixes, setting the stage for India’s total of 192/5 after captain Shreyas Iyer chose to bat first. India then restricted Zimbabwe to 157/7, sealing a 35-run victory and completing the clean sweep.

Reflecting on his performances throughout the series, Sooryavanshi attributed his success to the team’s preparation and support from the dressing room. “It felt really good. Our preparation was very good during the two or three days after we arrived in Harare. I also played the Under-19 World Cup here, so I really enjoy playing at this venue. Everyone backed me – the captain, the coaches, everyone – so I’m very happy,” he said during the post-match presentation.

The youngster maintained that his approach to batting remained consistent despite this being his first full T20I series for India. “My game is the same as what I play in T20 cricket. I was just trying to do that for the team. In all three matches, I tried to give the team a good start. If I got a good start, then I wanted to make the innings bigger. That was my only approach,” he explained.

Sooryavanshi gave India a strong start, helping his team reach 64/1 by the end of the powerplay. He recorded his second T20I half-century in just 31 balls before being dismissed by Wessly Madhevere in the 15th over, narrowly missing out on a century.

On his aggressive batting style, the opener said, “The shots that I play are the same ones I practice. I just try to replicate in the match whatever I do in the practice sessions.” Contributions from Ishan Kishan (29), captain Shreyas Iyer (27), and Rinku Singh (25 off 14 balls) further bolstered India’s total.

Zimbabwe’s chase faltered early as Yash Thakur dismissed Brian Bennett with the first ball and went on to take the wickets of Dion Myers and Sikandar Raza in the same spell. Mayank Yadav took three wickets, while Ravi Bishnoi and Ashok Sharma claimed one each. Despite an unbeaten 54 from Ryan Burl, Zimbabwe finished on 157/7.

After receiving both individual awards, Sooryavanshi said, “Yes, it’s truly a dream come true moment. Getting my first Man of the Match and Man of the Series awards, I’m very happy.” The series sweep marked India’s third consecutive T20I victory and capped a remarkable breakthrough series for the teenage opener, who stood out with his confident strokeplay at the top of the order.