Report: Zimbabwe vs India

Sooryavanshi's 81 carries India to 35-run win

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's unbeaten 81 off 49 balls steered India to 192 for 5 at Harare Sports Club, a total that proved too steep for Zimbabwe in the third T20I. India won by 35 runs to take control of the series.

Sooryavanshi's innings was the difference. He struck 10 boundaries in a controlled yet aggressive knock that anchored India's innings after the opening batsmen had done the groundwork. Ishan Kishan contributed 29 off 26 deliveries and Shreyas Iyer added 27 off 18, but neither could sustain the momentum Sooryavanshi established. Brad Evans took two wickets for Zimbabwe, conceding 41 runs, while Sikandar Raza's economy was tight at 1 for 40, yet neither could dislodge Sooryavanshi from the crease.

India's total looked commanding once Sooryavanshi had set the pace. The batting unit had managed to post a competitive score on a surface that offered some resistance, and the bowlers would have backed themselves to defend it.

Zimbabwe's chase falls short despite Burl's resistance

Zimbabwe's response never threatened India's target. Ryan Burl fought hard with 54 off 43 balls, striking five boundaries, but lacked the support needed to build a winning partnership. Wesley Madhevere made 28 off 25 and Ben Curran contributed 20 off 19, yet none of them could sustain a meaningful partnership with Burl.

The chase unravelled under pressure from India's bowling attack. Mayank Yadav was the standout performer, taking 3 for 29 in his four overs. Yash Thakur added 2 for 45, and together they restricted Zimbabwe to 157 for 7. Zimbabwe needed 193 to win but fell 35 runs short, with Burl's individual effort unable to compensate for the lack of middle-order firepower.

Zimbabwe's batsmen struggled to find the boundary consistently and never built the acceleration required in the final overs. The loss leaves India in a strong position in the series, with Sooryavanshi's batting display and Yadav's bowling having proven the decisive factors in a straightforward victory.