Mayank Yadav in awe of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s ‘unbelievable’ batting
Indian pacer Mayank Yadav was full of praise for teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after the 15-year-old smashed his maiden international half-century against Zimbabwe in the first T20I in Harare. Mayank described the youngster’s stroke play as “unbelievable” and backed him to make it big in international cricket.
Sooryavanshi blasted 50 off just 19 balls to lead India to a 7 wicket winwhile Mayank marked his return to international cricket after almost two years on the sidelines with an impressive two-wicket spell.
ZIM vs IND 1st T20I: SCORECARD | MAIN DATA
Speaking after India’s victory, Mayank admitted that he was impressed by Sooryavanshi’s fearless batting as he recalled how the teenager also dismantled the bowling during the IPL.
“His batting is incredible. When I bowled him, he played some shots that you can’t expect from a player so young with so little experience. He always gives you a new experience and he’s great to watch.”
The fast bowler said Sooryavanshi has extraordinary talent for someone his age and believes the youngster has what it takes to have a long and successful career at the highest level.
“I think he can go a long way because the talent he has at that age is amazing. I never imagined a 15-year-old kid would come and blow everyone up like that. It feels great to be in his team now because in the IPL when we played against him he blew us away like anything.”
Mayank also felt that the half-century will be a big confidence booster for Sooryavanshi after a tough start to his international career.
“I think it’s going to be a very special moment for him. He hasn’t had very good matches in the last two series and now he’s got his first half-century for the country. That’s always a very special moment for any player, and especially for a 15-year-old boy. The way he smashed the ball was brilliant.”
VAIBHAV SOORYAVANSHI ANNOUNCES
After a quiet start to his international career in England, Sooryavanshi returned to familiar surroundings in Harare, where he scored a memorable century in the U-19 World Cup final earlier this year. The left-hander looked completely at ease, hammering four fours and four sixes in a breathtaking 19-ball fifty that laid the foundation for India’s successful chase of 126.
His attacking display included bold moves, towering straight sixes and fearless stroke play against Zimbabwe’s fast attack. Although he departed immediately after reaching his milestone, Ishan Kishan and skipper Shreyas Iyer completed the chase comfortably to hand India a seven-wicket victory and Iyer his first victory as India’s T20I captain.
MAYANK YADAV MAKES A COMEBACK
While Sooryavanshi was grabbing the headlines with the bat, Mayank enjoyed a memorable comeback with the ball in his first international appearance since October 2024. The quick struck on the opening delivery of the match by dismissing Brian Bennett and has consistently clocked over 145 km/h throughout his tenure.
Returning from a stress fracture that required surgery, Mayank finished with two wickets as India restricted Zimbabwe to 125 for seven. His pace and aggression troubled the hosts throughout the innings and completed a successful comeback before India’s young batting stars finished the job in emphatic fashion.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
24 Jul 2026 12:24 IST