Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s 81 Powers India to 192/5 Against Zimbabwe in 3rd T20I at Harare
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored a superb 81 off 49 balls as India posted 192/5 against Zimbabwe in the third and final T20I at Harare Sports Club, putting the visitors on course for a 3-0 series sweep.
Teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi produced a sensational yet composed innings of 81 off 49 balls as India posted 192/5 in 20 overs against Zimbabwe in the third and final T20I at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday. After electing to bat first, India reached a formidable total, putting themselves in a strong position to complete a 3-0 series sweep.
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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Anchors India’s Innings with Brilliant 81
Winning the toss and electing to bat first, India relied on a mature knock from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who moved away from his usual attacking style to play a calculated innings.
The young opener mixed power with precision, punishing loose deliveries from the Zimbabwe bowlers. He struck eight fours and four sixes, scoring at a strike rate of 165.31.
Although India finished eight runs short of the 200-run mark, Sooryavanshi’s innings placed the visitors in a commanding position.
He shared:
- 75-run partnership with Ishan Kishan
- 50-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer
Rinku Singh then added the finishing touches with a quick 25 off 14 balls.
For Zimbabwe, Brad Evans was the most successful bowler with 2/41, but the bowling attack proved expensive overall and conceded 17 extras, including 15 wides.
Zimbabwe’s Bowling Starts Poorly
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza opened the bowling, but the move backfired immediately.
Sooryavanshi drove the first ball through short third man for four before producing a lofted drive for another boundary, helping India collect 17 runs from the opening over.
However, Blessing Muzarabani responded quickly by dismissing Abhishek Sharma for 2. For the third time in the series, Muzarabani removed the Indian opener after inducing a thick outside edge, with the wicketkeeper taking a simple catch.
Despite the early wicket, Sooryavanshi remained aggressive. He hooked Muzarabani for a six into the parking area before edging another boundary past third man.
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Sooryavanshi Reaches Fifty in 31 Balls
The left-handed batter also handled fuller deliveries confidently, squeezing yorkers from Newman Nyamhuri and Brad Evans through the off-side for boundaries.
At the other end, Ishan Kishan found rhythm by hitting Brad Evans for consecutive boundaries before striking Wellington Masakadza over mid-wicket for another four.
Sooryavanshi then launched Masakadza for a towering six over mid-wicket and reached his second T20I half-century in just 31 balls by cutting Wessly Madhevere to deep point for a single.
Although Ishan Kishan was bowled by Sikandar Raza for 29, Sooryavanshi continued to dominate. He smashed Madhevere straight down the ground before producing a reverse sweep for another boundary.
Shreyas Iyer Supports Before Brad Evans Strikes
India captain Shreyas Iyer joined the attack by hitting consecutive boundaries off Madhevere.
Sooryavanshi continued entertaining the crowd with towering sixes, including a massive 102-metre six straight down the ground.
His outstanding innings finally ended when he attempted another big hit, only for Brad Evans to complete a sensational low diving catch at long-off, dismissing the teenager for 81.
Shreyas Iyer later holed out to deep mid-wicket off Brad Evans for 27.
Rinku Singh Helps India Finish Strong
After Iyer’s dismissal, Tilak Varma and Rinku Singh added valuable late runs, hitting four boundaries collectively.
Rinku Singh eventually holed out to deep cover off Brad Evans on the final ball of the innings after scoring 25 off 14 balls.
India crossed the 190-run mark, collecting 40 runs in overs 17 to 20, thanks largely to Sooryavanshi’s measured yet explosive innings.
Brief Scores
India: 192/5 in 20 overs
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: 81 (49)
- Ishan Kishan: 29
Zimbabwe Bowling:
- Brad Evans: 2/41
- Blessing Muzarabani: 1/33
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s outstanding 81 off 49 balls guided India to 192/5 against Zimbabwe in the third and final T20I at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday. His partnerships with Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer, along with Rinku Singh’s late cameo, put India in a strong position to secure a 3-0 series sweep. At the time of filing this report, Zimbabwe were yet to begin their chase.
