Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan showered praise on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Mayank Yadav after India defeated Zimbabwe by 35 runs in the third and final T20I at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday, July 26. The victory completed a 3-0 whitewash for the Men in Blue, giving them a timely lift after recent T20I series defeats in Ireland and England.
Sooryavanshi was the standout performer once again, smashing a brilliant 81 off 49 balls on a testing surface. The 15-year-old struck eight fours and four sixes to power India to 192/5 in 20 overs. Zimbabwe were then restricted to 157/7 in reply, sealing another convincing win for Shreyas Iyer’s side.
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Impressed by the teenager’s fearless batting, Irfan Pathan backed Sooryavanshi to lock down a place in the Indian team for the long term. “Jiski bhi jagah lega ye bachha, use wapas nahi aane dega… How special is this Vaibhav Sooryavanshi?” Pathan wrote on his official X account.
Jiski Bhi jagah lega ye bachha use wapis Nahi aane dega…
How Special this Vaibhav Suryavanshi is??
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) July 26, 2026
Irfan Pathan also singled out Mayank Yadav for praise after the fast bowler finished the series as India’s highest wicket-taker with five wickets, including a three-wicket haul in the final T20I.
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“Congratulations Team India for winning the T20 series vs Zimbabwe. Mayank Yadav & Vaibhav Sooryavanshi have been the biggest plus,” the former India star posted.
Congratulations team India for winning t20 series vs Zimbabwe.
Mayank Yadav & Vaibhav Suryavanshi has been the biggest plus.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) July 26, 2026
Sooryavanshi finished the series with 151 runs in three innings at an average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 196.10. He also collected both the Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards after registering two half-centuries in the series. India’s next assignment is a two-Test series against Sri Lanka, with the opening Test scheduled to begin on August 15 in Galle.
