Put in to bat after losing the toss in the first of three matches, Zimbabwe made a meagre 125-7 in 20 overs with all-rounder Wessly Madhevere (39) top scoring.
Led by 15-year-old prodigy Sooryavanshi, who struck four sixes and four fours in an 18-ball 50, India cruised to 126-3 with 40 balls to spare.
Sooryavanshi became the youngest cricketer to represent India by debuting in a 4-0 T20I drubbing by England this month. He scored 42 runs in three innings.
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After his whirlwind 50 in Harare, Sooryavanshi was out when he got a thick outside edge to a Richard Ngarava delivery and was caught at deep third man by Ben Curran.
He departed with the tourists 68-2. Then, wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan (35) and unbeaten captain Shreyas Iyer (28 not out) ensured India ended a dismal recent T20I run.
Before four losses in England, one by an Indian record 125 runs, the reigning T20I world champions lost another series 2-0 in Ireland.
Victory at Harare Sports Club was a welcome relief for Iyer – it ended a seven-match winless run since he inherited the captaincy.
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“I think the boys were tremendous. Could not have been happier with my first win,” the skipper told reporters.
“There was bounce from a good length and it was also variable. I felt it was there in both innings. We are going to play two more matches here, so this performance gives everyone some confidence.”
Madhevere was run out after a 58-run sixth-wicket stand with Tadiwanashe Marumani (27 not out). An unwise attempt to secure a second run led to his downfall.
Maiden international fifty 👏
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi becomes the youngest batter ever to score a T20I half-century 🫡
Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/NKa0znQQ3H#TeamIndia | #ZIMvIND pic.twitter.com/aUWiBE9FLz
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 23, 2026
–AFP
Photo: BCCI/X
