Zimbabwe T20Is: Coach VVS Laxman introduces Best Attitude Award. Here is the 1st winner

In an attempt to instill a stronger team culture during his interim tenure as head coach, VVS Laxman introduced the ‘Best Attitude Award’ for the Indian dressing room in Zimbabwe. The initiative comes all right India ended a frustrating seven-match winless streak in T20Is, signaling a shift towards valuing effort, mindset and day-to-day discipline alongside runs and wickets.

Middle-order batsman Tilak Varma took home the inaugural medal after the series began. On paper, his numbers were modest: a catch, a boundary and a match-winning run. However, management deliberately designed the award to reward fine details that standard scorecards often miss.

Explaining the idea, Laxman clarified that on-field character carries equal weight with raw technique.

“Attitude is equivalent to skill. What we thought as a team management to reward in this three-match series is not just fielding, not just individual brilliance in bowling and batting. But the attitude aspect is also something we are going to reward,” Laxman said.

Rather than pick the winners himself, Laxman handed over the responsibility to the support staff and had Strength and Conditioning Coach Harsha and Performance Coach Joy make the calls.

Harsha highlighted Tilak’s relentless work ethic during training and praised the 23-year-old’s determination during the post-match presentation.

“This guy has not only pushed himself off the field, he’s also pushed himself on the field. Even when things weren’t supposed to be done that intensely, he’s out there doing it really intensely,” Harsha remarked.

Tilak received the medal in front of the team and had a simple reaction while receiving the nod.

“I always try to give my best to the team. Whatever I do off the field helps me in it,” said Tilak.

On the field, India started the three-match T20I tour with a comfortable seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club on 23 July. After electing to field, the Indian pacers struck early, led by the returning Mayank Yadavwho took two wickets to help keep Zimbabwe to 125/7. Wessly Madhevere offered some resistance with 39 but disciplined spells from Prince Yadav (2/19) and Ravi Bishnoi (1/24) prevented the home side from building any sustained momentum.

India made quick work of the 126-run target and completed the chase in 13.2 overs. 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi lit up the night with a 19-ball 50 to become the youngest player to score a T20I half-century before Ishan Kishan (35) and skipper Shreyas Iyer (28*) steered the side home. Tilak Varma pushed a last single to seal the victory, ending India’s recent slump and making it 1-0

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Issued by:

Akshay Ramesh

Published on:

24 Jul 2026 22:53 IST