Sooryavanshi’s 19-ball blitz
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi blew the chase open with a 50 off 19, ensuring India never had to look back as they won by 7 wickets with 40 balls remaining. Zimbabwe’s 125/7 always needed early strikes, but India’s intent in the first six overs flipped the pressure immediately. By the time the target came into view, the chase was already a formality.
India’s powerplay knockout
The game was decided in the powerplay. Zimbabwe crawled to 26/3 at 4.2 an over, losing too many wickets to build any platform, while India surged to 66/1 at 11 an over. That 40-run swing in the first six overs meant Zimbabwe’s later acceleration couldn’t compensate, and India could manage the chase without taking risks through the middle.
Sooryavanshi sets, Yadavs squeeze
Sooryavanshi’s strike rate of 263 was the standout, and Ishan Kishan’s 35 off 24 helped stitch a key 46-run stand that kept India ahead of the game. For Zimbabwe, Blessing Muzarabani’s 2/26 was the best resistance with the ball. Earlier, Mayank Yadav (2/18) and Prince Yadav (2/19) did the damage by strangling Zimbabwe’s top order and ensuring the innings never fully recovered.
Madhevere-Marumani rebuild fades
Zimbabwe did fight back through the middle overs, with Wesley Madhevere anchoring a 58-run partnership that steadied the innings and lifted them to 89/5 after 15. The late overs brought 36 more at a brisk 9.0 an over, but the total still felt light. In the chase, Zimbabwe’s bowlers briefly checked the scoring with two wickets in the middle phase, yet India’s run-rate cushion from the powerplay kept the asking rate under control.

