India defeated Zimbabwe by a margin of 90 runs in the second T20I of the three-game series being played between the sides at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday, July 25. Batting first, India did not get off to a good start. They lost their openers Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (20) and Abhishek Sharma (8) without much on the board.
However, wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, walking out to bat at number three, stole the show with a 44-ball 81 with nine boundaries and two sixes. Lower down the order, Tilak Varma starred with a quickfire, unbeaten 60 that came off just 29 deliveries. Varma took the help of five boundaries and three sixes during his innings. This helped India reach the gigantic total of 219-5.
In reply, Zimbabwe produced a quickfire 32 off 19 balls scored by opener Brian Bennett, in which he looked capable of stealing the thunder from India's much-vaunted batting unit. However, his departure exposed the home team's inexperience, as they were reduced to 49-4 by the seventh over.
Captain Sikandar Raza, who departed for a duck, did not help his team's cause. It was only Ryan Burl (20) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (24) who gently steered their team past the 100-run mark. In the end, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 129 inside 18 overs, with all-rounder Abhishek Sharma returning with three wickets. Yash Thakur and Prince Yadav also picked up two wickets apiece, helping India take a 2-0 lead in the series.
Overview and Analysis of 3rd T20I between Zimbabwe and India (26.07.2026)
Zimbabwe were thrashed by 35 runs by India in the third and final T20I of the series at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday, July 26. India came into this clash with a 2-0 lead. This time, they completed a whitewash over their opponents. This victory will give a lot of credence to the Indians, who had arrived in southern Africa on the back of consecutive whitewashes at the hands of Ireland and England. Although this series win was helmed by interim head coach VVS Laxman and not Gautam Gambhir, India still have reasons to cheer.
The Men in Blue batted first in this game, too, and it was opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi who showed how lethal he can be. The southpaw scored 81 off just 49 deliveries, using the assistance of eight boundaries and four sixes. The teenager's knock gained in significance especially since no other Indian batter could cross the 30-run mark. Ishan Kishan, the previous game's top-scorer, was India's next highest run-getter with 29. Brad Evans took two wickets for the hosts. Yet, he could not prevent India from putting up an inspired total of 192-5 in 20 overs.
In the second innings, Zimbabwe put up a fight, but couldn't overcome the Indian bowling unit. Although they lost opener Brian Bennett off the first ball to Mayank Yadav, Ryan Burl top-scored with an unbeaten 54 to guide his team towards the target. Unfortunately, Burl did not receive any support from his colleagues, with Wessly Madhevere being the next-highest scorer with 28 off 25 deliveries. Zimbabwe's run-chase fizzled out in front of India's disciplined bowling attack led by Yadav, who took three wickets. Yash Thakur, meanwhile, scalped two wickets. With this victory, India completed a 3-0 sweep over Zimbabwe.