India raze Zimbabwe in series finale to complete clean sweep

Team India bulldozed Zimbabwe for the third consecutive time in Harare, as Shreyas Iyer registered his first clean sweep as India’s T20I captain. A commanding performance with the bat, followed by a clinical show with the ball, sealed the contest in India’s favour.

India made two changes to the side, with Ashok Sharma replacing an injured Prince Yadav, while Suryansh Shedge came in for Shivam Dube. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi came out all guns blazing right from the outset to get India off to a flying start.

Much to India’s shock, they lost Abhishek Sharma (2) early again, who looked tentative with his shots. However, an incoming Ishan Kishan (29) was more than happy to steady the ship for the Indian side, while Sooryavanshi toyed with the bowlers at the other end.

The duo of Vaibhav and Ishan added 75 runs from just 50 balls for the second wicket. Sikandar Raza eventually got hold of Ishan’s wicket to break the partnership. Shreyas Iyer looked good during his stay at the crease, smashing 27 off just 18 balls.

Sooryavanshi’s stunning knock of 81 from just 49 balls met its conclusion with a blinder of a catch from an onrushing Brad Evans at long-off. By the time he was done with his rampage, he had racked up eight fours and four sixes, and India looked well-placed for another score north of 200.

However, with the fall of Sooryavanshi, India lost some crucial momentum towards the end. Iyer fell to an off-cutter from Brad Evans, and India needed a late boost. Rinku Singh delivered exactly that, clobbering 25 off just 14 balls to propel India to 192/5 at the end of 20 overs.

Zimbabwe were jolted early as Mayank Yadav struck on the very first ball to dismiss Brian Bennett (0). Ben Curran (20) and Dion Myers (19) put together a crucial stand of 34 runs to get the hosts’ innings moving. Just when it felt like Zimbabwe might steady the ship, India rocked them with a double blow.

Yash Thakur struck twice, removing Myers and ending Sikandar Raza’s miserable series, with the Zimbabwean captain sent packing for a golden duck. Ravi Bishnoi then ended Ben Curran’s knock, leaving Zimbabwe wobbling at 65/4.

Ryan Burl (54*) and Wessly Madhevere (28) mounted a stand of resilience, adding 60 runs for the fifth wicket to keep hopes of a late fightback alive. Mayank Yadav ended the partnership by removing Madhevere, leaving Zimbabwe with a mountain to climb.

An incoming Brad Evans (14) offered some support for Burl, but it wasn’t as brisk as it needed to be, and the required rate kept climbing. India restricted Zimbabwe to 157/7 from their 20 overs, securing a 35-run win to complete the whitewash.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi bagged the Player of the Match award for his stellar knock, and also claimed the Player of the Series award for his sensational consistency.