India Beat Zimbabwe by 7 Wickets in 1st T20I, Sooryavanshi Blazes to Fifty in Harare

India kicked off their three-match T20I series in Zimbabwe with a comfortable 7-wicket win in Harare. Chasing 126, India got home in just 13.2 overs.

Zimbabwe were sent in to bat and never really got going against India's new-ball attack. Mayank Yadav struck with the first ball of the innings, removing Brian Bennett for a duck. He finished with 2 for 18. Prince Yadav also picked up 2 wickets. Zimbabwe found some late momentum through Wessly Madhevere, who top-scored with 39, and Tadiwanashe Marumani, unbeaten on 27, as the hosts closed on 125 for 7.

India's chase was set up by a blistering start from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The teenager smashed 50 off just 19 balls, with 4 fours and 4 sixes, putting the required rate under control inside the powerplay. Ishan Kishan kept the tempo going with 35 off 24 balls. Both fell to Zimbabwe's seamers, but Shreyas Iyer saw India home unbeaten on 28, with Tilak Varma alongside him on 6.

The win gives India a 1-0 lead in the series. The two sides meet again in the 2nd T20I at the same venue on July 25.