India reclaimed the top spot in the ICC Men’s T20I team rankings after completing a 3-0 series sweep over Zimbabwe with a 35-run victory in the final match in Harare on Sunday.
The reigning T20 World Cup champions had briefly surrendered the No. 1 ranking to England after the latter completed a 4-0 series victory at home, but India’s dominant campaign in Zimbabwe was enough to restore them to the summit.
The latest victory was built around another outstanding performance from 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who continued his remarkable run at Harare Sports Club with a career-best 81 from 49 balls. His innings, which included eight fours and four sixes, helped India post 192 for five on a slow surface before Zimbabwe were restricted to 157 for seven.
Sooryavanshi reached his second T20I half-century from 31 balls and accelerated impressively against Zimbabwe’s spinners, using reverse sweeps and lofted drives to keep the scoreboard moving. He was eventually dismissed by Brad Evans, who completed a full stretch diving catch off Wessly Madhevere.
The teenager finished the series as India’s leading run scorer with 151 runs, adding another significant chapter to what has been a remarkable start to his senior international career. His performances in Harare have further cemented the venue as a happy hunting ground for the young left-hander.
Earlier this year, Sooryavanshi smashed 175 from just 80 balls against England in the Under-19 World Cup final at Harare Sports Club, having already scored 68 in the semi-final at the same venue.
India’s innings began with an early setback when Blessing Muzarabani dismissed Abhishek Sharma for two, the third time in the series that the Zimbabwe seamer had removed the Indian opener. Sooryavanshi, however, continued to attack, finding support from Ishan Kishan, who scored 29 before Sikandar Raza ended their 95-run partnership.
India captain Shreyas Iyer added a brisk 27 before being caught at deep midwicket off Evans, while Rinku Singh provided late momentum with 25 from 14 balls. Evans claimed his second wicket with the final delivery of the innings, leaving Tilak Varma unbeaten on 11.
Zimbabwe’s chase began disastrously when Mayank Yadav dismissed Brian Bennett for a golden duck for the second time in the series. Yash Thakur then struck with consecutive deliveries in the fifth over to remove Dion Myers and Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza, leaving the hosts struggling at 34 for three.
Ben Curran and Ryan Burl briefly steadied the innings before Ravi Bishnoi dismissed Curran to end a 31-run partnership. Burl then combined with Wessly Madhevere for a 60-run fifth wicket stand, but Mayank returned to remove Madhevere and further damage Zimbabwe’s hopes.
Burl remained unbeaten on 54, his 13th T20I half-century, but Zimbabwe finished on 157 for seven after their 20 overs. Mayank was India’s outstanding bowler, claiming career-best figures of three for 29.
The series marked another impressive step in the development of Sooryavanshi, who is playing only his second senior international series after making his debut during India’s campaign in England earlier this month.
For Zimbabwe, the defeat brought an end to a difficult series against the reigning world champions, while India’s comprehensive sweep secured both a clean series victory and a return to the top of the global T20I rankings.
