“You don’t think about the wickets that have already fallen. The past is past. You just keep watching the ball. You know your strengths, you know where you can score and which bowlers you can target. It’s about being smart in the middle. I kept things very simple and just backed myself to play my shots all around the ground,” he said after the game where he was adjudged the player of the match.

“To be very honest, I didn’t feel this was the kind of wicket where you could just walk in and score 200-plus runs. We felt anything around 180 would be a good total because there was variable bounce on a few deliveries. So we knew partnerships were going to be very important. But as a number three batter, once you’re set, you want to make it count and score big runs so that your team gets to a total like the 220 odd we managed today,” he added.

Meanwhile, an injury to fast bowler Prince Yadav will force India to make a few changes in the third and final T20I to be played on Sunday, said skipper Shreyas Iyer after their series-clinching 90-run win over Zimbabwe.

Prince hobbled off the field clutching his hamstring after pulling up during his bowling run-up on the second ball of his second over. The right-arm pacer had taken two wickets by then.

“One of our players got injured unfortunately so you might see a few changes tomorrow (Sunday),” Iyer told the broadcaster after the match.

India, who posted 219 for five riding on Ishan Kishan’s 81 and Tilak Varma’s 60 not out, bowled Zimbabwe out for 129 in 17.5 overs and take an unassailable 2-0 lead.

“The way Ishan and Tilak played was outstanding. I thought 180-200 would be par score but we ended up getting 220 which was the icing on the cake.” “That’s how you have to approach the game, it’s about the attitude. Be in the present and try to execute.” he added.

The first game belonged to India’s young pace attack and teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Mayank Yadav made a strong comeback after nearly two years, picking up two wickets with his very first delivery. Prince Yadav also chipped in, while debutant Ashok Sharma impressed with his raw pace. The chase was more like a formality ever after as Sooryavanshi smashed a record-breaking 18-ball half-century.

India vs Zimbabwe T20I series 2026: All You Need To Know

Zimbabwe face a must-win contest to keep the series alive. Their batting crumbled early, and they will need a much-improved top-order performance today. Captain Sikandar Raza will hope for a stronger response from his side, with the series on the line.

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Mayank Yadav passes first Test with flying colours, but bigger challenges await

When Mayank Yadav dismissed Brian Bennett with the very first ball of Zimbabwe’s innings on Thursday, it felt like time had stood still. The 24-year-old was doing precisely what made him one of India’s most promising pace prospects — only, a little later than expected. Bowling at close to 150 kph, hitting hard lengths and unsettling batsmen — traits that had earned Mayank the distinction of being special.

By the time his spell ended, Mayank had figures of 2/18 from four overs, which was enough for him to win the Player of the Match on his return to international cricket after 21 months. (READ MORE)

India chased down the target in just 13.2 overs, with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashing a record-breaking 18-ball half-century to give India a 1-0 lead in the series. Sooryavanshi effectively killed the chase within the first few overs, slamming boundaries at will.

India handed a debut cap to Ashok Sharma in the previous game and are likely to continue with him in this match as well, with Iyer expected to field the same playing XI.

Predicted Playing XI for India vs Zimbabwe 2nd T20I

India’s Probable XI: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (w), Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma (vc), Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Prince Yadav, Ashok Sharma, Mayank Yadav.

Zimbabwe’s Probable XI: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (w), Ben Curran, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Wessly Madhevere, Brad Evans, Newman Nyamhuri, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani.

India vs Zimbabwe T20I Squads

India Squad: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan(w), Tilak Varma, Shreyas Iyer(c), Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Suryansh Shedge, Prince Yadav, Yash Thakur, Ashok Sharma, Mayank Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Prabhsimran Singh, Harsh Dubey, Ravi Bishnoi.

Zimbabwe Squad: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani(w), Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza(c), Ryan Burl, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Wessly Madhevere, Milton Shumba, Richard Ngarava, Tanaka Chivanga, Blessing Muzarabani, Ben Curran, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Newman Nyamhuri.

Regular opener Sanju Samson has been rested for this series, paving the way for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to get a longer run in India colours. The 15-year-old prodigy made his debut during the England series but managed scores of 13, 14, and 15 before being dropped for the final match. He will be keen to prove his mettle alongside top-order mainstays Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, the latter of whom has struggled for form in testing conditions.

India vs Zimbabwe T20I series 2026: All You Need To Know

The inexperienced bowling unit – featuring Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Yash Thakur, Ashok Sharma, and Harsh Dubey – faces a stern challenge against a Zimbabwe side that could prove dangerous in familiar home conditions. Iyer, who took over the T20 captaincy from Suryakumar Yadav, will hope his young side can arrest the slide and begin the series on a positive note.

Scroll down to follow live score updates of India vs Zimbabwe 1st T20I from Harare

India’s next pace generation gets its audition in Zimbabwe

When India announced their squad for the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, the biggest talking point wasn’t who had been rested. Arshdeep Singh was given a breather with the upcoming series starting a few days after a long Ireland and England tour, while Jasprit Bumrah’s workload is increasingly being managed, with the selectors likely to use him selectively in T20Is while prioritising ODIs. (READ MORE)