Dream come true: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi basks in double joy after Zimbabwean heroes

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has already made Harare his happy hunting ground. Earlier this year, the teenager lit up the city during the Under-19 World Cup. On Sunday he returned to script another unforgettable chaptercapped a sensational tour of Zimbabwe by winning the Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards after inspiring India to victory in the third T20I.

The 15-year-old opener made a breathtaking 81 off 49 balls, peppered with eight fours and four sixes. India completed a commanding 3-0 run. After making a blistering 50 off just 19 deliveries in the opener to become the youngest batsman to score a half-century in a men’s T20I, Sooryavanshi registered his highest international score in the decider.

India vs Zimbabwe 3rd T20I: Update | Scorecard

His two match-winning knocks also made him the first player in men’s T20I history to register multiple half-centuries before turning 16, completing a remarkable turnaround after a tough tour of England.

“Yes, it is indeed a dream come true. To win my first Man of the Match and Man of the Series awards, I am very happy,” Sooryavanshi said after the match.

“In all three games, I tried to give the team a good start. If I started well, then I wanted to make the innings bigger. That was my only approach.”

HARARE CONTINUES TO BRING THE BEST IN SOORYAVANSHI

The Zimbabwe tour served as a reminder of the teenager’s immense talent after a Test stint in England where he scored just 42 runs at an average of 14.

Earlier this year, it was Harare where the left-hander announced himself to the cricketing world during the ICC Under-19 World Cup. He smashed a breathtaking 175 in the final against England, leads India to the titlebefore finishing as player of the tournament series.

This familiarity was evident throughout the senior T20I series. Whether it was his half-century in the opener or his 81 in the decider, Sooryavanshi looked at home on the Harare surface.

The youngster admitted that returning to Harare has given him another sense of comfort, while praising the Indian dressing room for their unwavering support.

“It was really good. Our preparation was very good within two or three days after arriving in Harare. I also played the Under-19 World Cup here, so I’m really enjoying playing in this place. Everyone has supported me – the captain, the coaches, everyone – so I’m very happy,” he added.

Sooryavanshi finished the three-match T20I series with 151 runs at an average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 196.10. The tour of Zimbabwe also continued in 2026, which was remarkable for the teenage sensation.

Sooryavanshi’s rise has been as rapid as it has been remarkable, from finishing as the top run-scorer in IPL 2026, becoming India’s youngest international debutant and now winning Zimbabwe’s Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards.

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Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

26 Jul 2026 21:26 IST