Harare: India completed a dominant 3-0 clean sweep over Zimbabwe by winning the third and final T20 International by 35 runs on Sunday. Fifteen-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi starred with a match-winning 81 off 49 balls, smashing eight fours and four sixes. Playing only his second international series, Vaibhav was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series.
Fast bowler Mayank Yadav once again played a crucial role in India’s victory, returning figures of 3/29 in four overs. He had earlier claimed 2/18 in the opening T20 and won the Player of the Match award, making it another outstanding series for the young pacer.
With head coach Gautam Gambhir rested after the England tour, VVS Laxman took charge of the Indian team for the Zimbabwe series. Under his guidance, India produced an impressive all-round performance to register a comprehensive 3-0 series victory.
After opting to bat, India posted 192/5 in 20 overs. Zimbabwe struggled on a slow surface offering reduced pace and low bounce, managing only 157/7 in reply as India sealed a convincing 35-run win.
Apart from Mayank Yadav’s three wickets, fellow pacer Yash Thakur picked up two wickets in just his second international appearance, while Ravi Bishnoi and Ashok Sharma claimed one wicket each. Ryan Burl fought hard with an unbeaten 54 off 43 balls, including five boundaries, but lacked support from the other Zimbabwe batters.
Shreyas Iyer had endured disappointing starts to his captaincy, losing his first two T20 series 2-0 against Ireland and 4-0 against England. However, thanks to Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s sensational performances, the Indian skipper celebrated his maiden series victory with a commanding 3-0 clean sweep over Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe had previously beaten India in all three of their T20 victories at Harare, but the hosts failed to win a single match this time.
Vaibhav enjoyed a memorable series, scoring two half-centuries. He made 50 in the first T20, 20 in the second, and followed it up with a brilliant 81 in the series finale to finish as the standout performer.
Mayank Yadav Gets Bennett On First Ball Again
India’s express fast bowler Mayank Yadav dismissed Zimbabwe opener Brian Bennett off the very first ball of the innings for the second time in four days. Bennett edged a sharp delivery clocked at 147 kmph to first slip, where Vaibhav Suryavanshi completed a comfortable catch.
India Drop Five Catches
India’s fielding will come under scrutiny despite the series win, as the visitors dropped five straightforward catches in Sunday’s match. Three of those missed opportunities came while debutant fast bowler Yash Thakur was in operation, denying him an even more impressive bowling performance.
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