By AFP

This article was published on 24 July 2026.

India, the reigning T20I world champions, had lost seven consecutive T20Is before this match.

India wonderkid Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored a maiden Twenty20 international half-century in a seven-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in Harare.

Zimbabwe were asked to bat first after losing the toss on Thursday in the series opener and managed only 125 for 7, with all-rounder Wessly Madhevere top-scoring with 39.

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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 had made his India debut earlier this month in a 4-0 series loss to England, becoming the youngest player to represent the country. He had managed 42 runs across three innings prior to this match.

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.

Prior to their four defeats in England, which included a record 125-run loss, India had also lost a T20I 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.

“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.

The win ended India's seven-match losing streak in T20Is, a welcome result for captain Shreyas Iyer. Sooryavanshi's explosive innings at 15 years old marks him as a future star for India. Zimbabwe, put in to bat, failed to post a competitive total despite Wessly Madhevere's 39. The remaining two matches of the series will be crucial for both sides to build form.