Teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi produced another statement performance with a composed 81, while express pacer Mayank Yadav starred with the ball as India defeated Zimbabwe by 35 runs in the third T20I at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday to complete a comprehensive 3-0 series sweep.
After arriving in Zimbabwe following disappointing T20I series defeats in Ireland and England, India bounced back emphatically with a dominant all-round display across the three-match series.
Sooryavanshi anchored India’s innings with a mature 49-ball 81, helping the visitors post 192/5 on a sluggish surface. In reply, Mayank’s pace and disciplined short-ball tactics ensured Zimbabwe never seriously threatened the target as India restricted the hosts to 157/7 despite spilling five catches in the field.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi anchors India’s innings
The 18-year-old opener showed a different side to his game, balancing aggression with smart strike rotation. He struck eight fours and four sixes while also rotating the strike expertly, sharing crucial partnerships of 75 with Ishan Kishan and 50 with captain Shreyas Iyer.
Rinku Singh’s brisk 25 off 14 deliveries provided the finishing flourish as India collected 40 runs from the final four overs to finish just short of the 200-run mark.
India made an explosive start as Sooryavanshi welcomed Sikandar Raza with two boundaries in a 17-run opening over. Although Blessing Muzarabani once again dismissed Abhishek Sharma cheaply, the teenager continued to dominate, punishing anything overpitched or short with equal authority.
He reached his second T20I half-century in just 31 balls before launching a towering 102-metre six during an innings that combined power with maturity. His knock finally ended on 81 when Brad Evans produced an excellent diving catch at long-off.
Mayank, Thakur put Zimbabwe on the back foot
Zimbabwe’s chase unravelled almost immediately as Mayank struck with the first ball of the innings, removing Brian Bennett with a sharp outswinger that found the edge.
Yash Thakur then turned the game decisively in India’s favour by dismissing Dion Myers before producing a stunning return catch to send back skipper Sikandar Raza off the very next delivery.
Reduced to 30/3 inside the powerplay, Zimbabwe struggled to recover despite a fighting unbeaten 54 from Ryan Burl.
India complete dominant series win
Burl and Wessly Madhevere briefly revived the innings with a 60-run partnership, but Mayank returned to dismiss Madhevere before also accounting for Brad Evans. Debutant Ashok Sharma then claimed his maiden international wicket by clean bowling Tadiwanashe Marumani.
Although Burl completed a battling half-century, Zimbabwe never came close to the target as India sealed a convincing series sweep.