Earning both the Player of the Match and Player of the Series honors, teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi described his performance as a 'dream come true' while praising the team management for granting him the freedom to play his natural game.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on winning POTM, POTS awards
The young left-hander finished the three-match series against Zimbabwe as the standout performer, accumulating 151 runs across three innings at an average of 50.33. His campaign featured two distinct, game-changing knocks: an explosive 19-ball half-century in the series opener and a mature 49-ball 81 in the finale, both crucial in driving India to a 3-0 series sweep.
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Reflecting on his breakthrough series during the post-match presentation, Sooryavanshi expressed gratitude for the trust shown in him by captain Shreyas Iyer and the coaching staff. He noted that the backing allowed him to focus on delivering explosive starts before transitioning into building longer innings. The Bihar teenager also highlighted his comfort level playing in Harare, referencing his prior experience in the city during the U19 World Cup, and emphasized that his on-field success was a direct result of mirroring his practice routines in match situations.
“It felt very good. It is a dream come true for me. First man of the match and man of the series. The preparation here has been good,” Sooryavanshi said after the match.
India captain Shreyas Iyer expressed a sense of relief following his team's comprehensive 3-0 series sweep over Zimbabwe, securing his first series victory at the helm after earlier setbacks against Ireland and England. Praising the fearless approach and vibrant energy of his youthful squad, Shreyas highlighted how their commitment and high standards on the field made the whitewash particularly gratifying. He emphasized that his primary role as leader is to foster a relaxed, supportive environment, allowing young players to take ownership, embrace responsibility, and showcase the composure needed for long-term success in Indian cricket.
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On the other side, Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza, celebrating his milestone as his nation’s most-capped player across all formats—focused on the long-term learning value of competing against the reigning T20 world champions. While acknowledging that his side faces an uphill climb, Raza lauded the performances of young talents like Nyamhuri and Marumani, noting that the series was a crucial step in transforming the team culture. For Raza, building a resilient dressing room culture that matches the intensity of top-tier international cricket remains the priority, even if it comes with growing pains along the way.