India wrapped up their tour with decisive win, beating Zimbabwe by 35 runs in the third T20I at Harare Sports Club on Sunday,sealing a clean sweep of the three-match series. A big win for new captain Shreyas Iyer — his first series victory.
Key to India's success was Mayank Yadav,who turned in a stellar bowling performance,snatching 3 wickets for 29 runs. He kept Zimbabwe in check, limiting them to 157 runs, far from India's target of 193.
India,recovering from earlier losses to Ireland and England,delivered a solid all-round performance. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi shone with 81 runs, helping India reach 192 for 5 on a tricky pitch.
Zimbabwe's innings started badly. Mayank struck first ball, rattling Brian Bennett with a 147kph delivery,caught by Sooryavanshi at slip. That set the tone.
Yash Thakur dealt a double blow in the fourth over,removing Dion Myers with a bouncer caught by Iyer, and then Sikandar Raza with a stunning one-handed catch off his own bowling. Zimbabwe teetered at 19 for 3 .
Even a brief stand by Ryan Burl and Ben Curran, adding 31 runs,couldn't shift momentum. Curran fell to Ravi Bishnoi, and Mayank quickly took out Wessly Madhevere and Brad Evans.
Burl fought on with an unbeaten 54 off 42 balls,but with wickets tumbling,support was lacking. Ashok Sharma bowled Tadiwanashe Marumani for his first international wicket, sealing Zimbabwe's fate.
India's bowling attack, despite dropping five catches, was too much for Zimbabwe, who ended at 157 for 7.
Sooryavanshi's 81 and Ishan Kishan's 29 were key with the bat. For Zimbabwe,Brad Evans took 2 for 41, and Blessing Muzarabani 1 for 33.
This sweep lifts India's spirits and sets positive tone for future matches. They'll look to build on this momentum .
Brief Scores: India 192/5 in 20 overs (Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 81, Ishan Kishan 29; Brad Evans 2-41, Blessing Muzarabani 1-33) beat Zimbabwe 157/7 in 20 overs (Ryan Burl 54 not out,Wessly Madhevere 28; Mayank Yadav 3-29,Yash Thakur 2-45) by 35 runs.
