India wonderkid Vaibhav Sooryavanshi etched his name into the record books with a maiden Twenty20 international half-century as the 15-year-old inspired a seven-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in Harare on Thursday.
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Put into bat after losing the toss in the first of three matches, Zimbabwe made a meagre 125-7 in 20 overs with all-rounder Wessly Madhevere (39) top scoring.
Led by Sooryavanshi, who struck four sixes and four fours in a breathtaking 18-ball 50, India cruised to 126-3 with 40 balls to spare.
At just 15 years and 118 days old, Sooryavanshi became the youngest player in history to score a men’s T20 international half-century, surpassing Gibraltar’s Louis Bruce, who set the previous mark at 16 years and 56 days against Malta in 2021.
India’s 15-year-old wonderkid explodes with stunning maiden T20I fifty against ZimbabweSource: FOX SPORTS
The innings also made Sooryavanshi the youngest player from a Full Member nation to score an international half-century across any format, eclipsing a record previously held by Indian great Sachin Tendulkar.
Tendulkar reached the milestone aged 16 years and 213 days against Pakistan in Faisalabad in 1989.
Sooryavanshi became the youngest cricketer to represent India after debuting during the 4-0 T20I series defeat to England earlier this month, scoring 42 runs across three innings before his breakthrough performance in Harare.
After his whirlwind half-century, Sooryavanshi was dismissed when he edged a Richard Ngarava delivery to Ben Curran at deep third man.
He departed with India well placed at 68-2 before wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan (35) and unbeaten captain Shreyas Iyer (28 not out) completed the chase, ending India’s dismal recent run in the format.
Before four losses in England — including a record 125-run defeat — the reigning T20 world champions had also lost a series 2-0 in Ireland.
Victory at Harare Sports Club was a welcome relief for Iyer, ending a seven-match winless run since he inherited the captaincy.
“I think the boys were tremendous. Could not have been happier with my first win,” the skipper told reporters.
“There was bounce from a good length and it was also variable. I felt it was there in both innings. We are going to play two more matches here, so this performance gives everyone some confidence.”
Madhevere was run out after a 58-run sixth-wicket stand with Tadiwanashe Marumani (27 not out), with an ambitious attempt at a second run proving his downfall.
Brief scores: Zimbabwe 125-7 in 20 overs (W. Madhevere 39; M. Yadav 2-18, P. Yadav 2-19) lost to India 126-3 in 13.2 overs (V. Sooryavanshi 50, I. Kishan 35; B. Muzarabani 2-26) by seven wickets.
Youngest players to score 50+ runs in an international match (Full-member teams):
• 15y 118d – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (India) vs Zimbabwe, Harare, 2026 (T20I)
• 16y 213d – Sachin Tendulkar (India) vs Pakistan, Faisalabad, 1989 (Test)
• 16y 214d – Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) vs Sri Lanka, Nairobi, 1996 (ODI)
Youngest players to score 50+ runs in a T20I:
• 15y 118d – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (India) vs Zimbabwe, Harare, 2026
• 16y 56d – Louis Bruce (Gibraltar) vs Malta, 2021
• 16y 76d – Kavin Chaddha (Indonesia) vs Sweden, 2026