Vaibhav Sooryavanshi stole the show with a record-breaking half-century, while Mayank Yadav marked his return to international cricket with an impressive spell as India defeated Zimbabwe by eight wickets in the first T20I in Harare on Thursday to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
The win snapped India's seven-match winless streak in T20Is, handed Shreyas Iyer his first victory as captain and gave the visitors the early advantage in the series.
Returning to international cricket after recovering from a stress fracture, Mayank made an immediate impact. Playing his first match since October 2024, the pacer struck with the very first ball of the game and finished with two wickets as Zimbabwe were limited to 125 for seven.
India's chase of 126 began with the early loss of Abhishek Sharma, but Vaibhav Sooryavanshi quickly took charge. The 15-year-old smashed a breathtaking 50 off just 19 balls, reaching the milestone in only 18 deliveries, as India wrapped up the chase in 13.2 overs.
India dominated throughout the contest. Their pace attack dismantled Zimbabwe's top order, reducing the hosts to 32 for four before the middle order added some late runs. Sooryavanshi's explosive knock then put the chase beyond Zimbabwe, with Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer completing the job with more than six overs remaining.
Sooryavanshi shines on return
After a disappointing international debut in England earlier this month, Sooryavanshi bounced back in style at the Harare Sports Club, the venue where he had scored a memorable 175 in the Under-19 World Cup final earlier this year. India suffered an early setback when Blessing Muzarabani dismissed Abhishek Sharma, who managed just one run from eight balls before slicing a catch to third man.
From there, it was all Sooryavanshi. The teenager launched a fearless assault on Zimbabwe's bowling, announcing himself with two spectacular sixes off Richard Ngarava in the second over. One was a one-legged pull over deep square leg, while the other sailed over mid-off after he created room against a good-length delivery.
He also took on Muzarabani, clearing long-on with a towering six as India surged to 66 runs in the Powerplay.
Sooryavanshi raced to his maiden T20I fifty in just 18 balls, becoming the youngest player in men's international cricket to score an international half-century. His whirlwind 50 off 19 deliveries featured four fours and four sixes before Ngarava eventually dismissed him.
Ishan Kishan kept up the momentum with 35 from 24 balls, while captain Shreyas Iyer remained unbeaten on 28 as India sealed victory with ease.
Mayank Yadav makes dream comeback
Earlier, Mayank Yadav wasted no time making his presence felt after his lengthy injury layoff. He struck with the opening delivery of the match when Brian Bennett edged behind. Although the on-field umpire turned down the appeal, India successfully reviewed the decision to claim the wicket.
Bowling consistently above 145 kmph, Mayank generated extra bounce and troubled Zimbabwe's batters. His second wicket came when Dion Myers mistimed a pull shot against his pace.
Debutant Ashok Sharma recovered well after an expensive opening over, while Prince Yadav chipped in with two wickets.
Zimbabwe never recovered from the early setbacks, slipping to 26 for three inside the Powerplay before falling to 32 for four when captain Sikandar Raza was caught at deep square leg while attempting to attack Shivam Dube.
Ryan Burl (26), Wessly Madhevere (38) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (27 not out) added useful runs to lift Zimbabwe past the 120-run mark, but they were unable to challenge India's chase.
Ravi Bishnoi also impressed with tidy figures of 1 for 24 from his four overs.
After India's bowlers laid the platform, Sooryavanshi's sensational innings ensured a comfortable victory, ending the team's seven-match winless run in T20Is, giving Shreyas Iyer his first win as captain and putting India 1-0 ahead in the series.
