Shreyas Iyer's India eye series win against Zimbabwe in second T20I
India will look to seal the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe when the two teams meet in the second match here on Saturday, with Shreyas Iyer's side holding a 1-0 lead after a convincing seven-wicket win in the opener.
India, who were swept 0-2 by Ireland and 0-4 by England in their previous T20I series, produced a much-improved performance on Thursday to begin their revival under new captain Iyer.
Young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashed a 19-ball half-century, becoming the youngest player to score a T20I fifty, while pacer Mayank Yadav marked his return to international cricket with figures of 2/18.
India chased down Zimbabwe's 125/7 in just 13.3 overs, with Ishan Kishan scoring a quickfire 35 and Iyer remaining unbeaten on 28.
The collective effort of India's young pace attack was another major positive, with Prince Yadav taking 2/29 and debutant Ashok Sharma generating considerable pace despite going wicketless.
Mayank's return was particularly encouraging for India after the right-arm pacer spent nearly two years on the sidelines due to a series of injuries. He impressed with his pace and control, including the dismissal of Zimbabwe batting mainstay Brian Bennett with a delivery that shaped away.
Zimbabwe will need to improve their batting after losing three wickets for 26 runs in the powerplay in the opening game. Their total of 125/7 proved insufficient against India's strong chase.
Abhishek Sharma, who began his T20I career at the Harare Sports Club and scored his maiden century in the format in the second match of the series two years ago, will look to contribute after being dismissed cheaply in the opener.
VVS Laxman is serving as India's head coach for the series.
There is no gap between the second and third T20Is, with the final match scheduled for Sunday.
The match will begin at 4:30 pm IST.
