Vaibhav Sooryavanshi announced himself on the international stage with a stunning half-century as India defeated Zimbabwe by seven wickets in the opening T20I of the three-match series on Thursday.
Chasing 126, the 15-year-old needed just 19 balls to score 50, finishing with four fours and four sixes. His fearless batting helped India wrap up the chase in only 13.2 overs.
The victory was also Shreyas Iyer's first as India's T20I captain after a difficult start to his captaincy, which saw the team lose series in Ireland and England.
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Sooryavanshi had a quiet international debut in England earlier this month, but this time he looked far more comfortable. Returning to the same ground where he scored a brilliant 175 in the Under-19 World Cup final earlier this year, the teenager played with confidence from the start.
While Abhishek Sharma managed only one run, Sooryavanshi kept the scoreboard moving. He attacked Richard Ngarava early in the innings, smashing two impressive sixes in the second over. One came with a powerful pull shot over deep square leg, while the other was lofted cleanly over mid-off.
Zimbabwe's fastest bowler, Blessing Muzarabani, also came under pressure when Sooryavanshi launched him for a huge straight six. The youngster reached his fifty just after the powerplay before being caught off Ngarava in the next over.
After his dismissal, Ishan Kishan made 35 from 24 balls, while captain Shreyas Iyer remained unbeaten on 28 to guide India home without any trouble.
Earlier in the day, fast bowler Mayank Yadav enjoyed a dream return to international cricket after a long injury break. Playing his first match for India since October 2024, he struck with the very first ball by dismissing Brian Bennett for a duck. Although the on-field umpire ruled not out, India reviewed the decision and DRS confirmed the edge.
Mayank regularly bowled above 145 kmph and kept the Zimbabwe batters under pressure with his pace and accuracy. He picked up another wicket when Dion Myers mistimed a pull shot and was caught in the fifth over.
Making his international debut, Ashok Sharma had a difficult first over but settled down well and bowled much tighter afterwards.
India captain Shreyas Iyer had chosen to bowl first, and his bowlers made the most of the decision. Zimbabwe were in trouble from the beginning and slipped to 26 for 3 during the powerplay.
Captain Sikandar Raza tried to break the pressure by attacking Shivam Dube but was caught in the deep, leaving Zimbabwe struggling at 32 for 4.
Ryan Burl scored 26, Wessly Madhevere added 38, and Tadiwanashe Marumani remained unbeaten on 27. The trio helped Zimbabwe recover to some extent and take their total to 125 for 7, but it was never enough against India's strong batting line-up.
Leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi also made a useful contribution with the ball, finishing with economical figures of 1 for 24 from his four overs.