Sooryavanshi 18-ball fifty powers India past Zimbabwe in T20 opener
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi hit his first T20I fifty as India beat Zimbabwe by seven wickets in Harare, according to AFP.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
3 min read
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s 18-ball fifty drove India to a seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the opening Twenty20 international in Harare, AFP reported. The innings gave India a fast start in a small chase and ended a run of poor T20I results under captain Shreyas Iyer.
Zimbabwe, sent in after losing the toss on Thursday, made 125-7 in 20 overs at Harare Sports Club, according to AFP. Wessly Madhevere top-scored with 39, while Tadiwanashe Marumani finished 27 not out.
India reached 126-3 with 40 balls remaining, AFP reported. Sooryavanshi, 15, hit four sixes and four fours on the way to his first half-century in T20 internationals.
How did Sooryavanshi score his 18-ball fifty?
According to AFP, Sooryavanshi led India’s reply with aggressive hitting that quickly cut down Zimbabwe’s total. His 50 came from 18 balls, a scoring burst built around eight boundaries, including four sixes.
AFP reported that Sooryavanshi was dismissed after edging a Richard Ngarava delivery to deep third man, where Ben Curran completed the catch. India were 68-2 when he departed, leaving the chase firmly in their control.
Ishan Kishan then made 35, and Iyer guided India home with an unbeaten 28, according to AFP. The result put India 1-0 up in the three-match series.
Why was the win significant for India?
The victory gave Iyer his first win since taking over India’s T20I captaincy, AFP reported. It also ended a seven-match winless stretch for the reigning T20I world champions.
According to AFP, India had lost four T20Is in England earlier in the month, including one defeat by an Indian-record margin of 125 runs. Before that, India lost a T20I series 2-0 in Ireland.
“I think the boys were tremendous. Could not have been happier with my first win,” Iyer told reporters, according to AFP. He also said the Harare pitch offered bounce from a good length and variable bounce in both innings.
“We are going to play two more matches here, so this performance gives everyone some confidence,” Iyer told reporters, according to AFP.
What happened in Zimbabwe’s innings?
AFP reported that Zimbabwe struggled after being put in to bat and reached only 125-7. Madhevere and Marumani added 58 for the sixth wicket, the main stand of the innings.
Madhevere was run out while trying to come back for a second run, according to AFP. His dismissal left Zimbabwe short of a total that could test India once Sooryavanshi launched the chase.
AFP reported that Sooryavanshi had become the youngest cricketer to play for India when he debuted during the 4-0 T20I series defeat in England earlier in July. He scored 42 runs across three innings in that series before his breakthrough half-century in Harare.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.