Team India completed a resounding series whitewash of Zimbabwe in the three-match T20I series, breaking their losing streak in the format. The Men in Blue can thank 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi for their domination of the African nation.
The youngster announced his arrival on the international stage following a poor showing in his debut series in England, the Zimbabwean T20I series. Suryavanshi scored half-centuries in two of the three matches, finishing as the series’ top-scorer with 151 runs at a strike rate of 196.10.
As a result, he was adjudged the Player of the Series, another extraordinary accolade in a still young career. The Zimbabwe series saw Suryavanshi achieve several notable milestones through his sparkling batting.
Here, we look at five massive milestones Vaibhav Suryavanshi achieved in India’s 3-0 T20I series win over Zimbabwe.
#1 Youngest male cricketer to win Player of the Series
Vaibhav Suryavanshi took a first step in validating his ‘Chosen one‘ annointment with a breathtaking showing in only his second international series in Zimbabwe. At 15 years and 121 days, the left-hander became the youngest male cricketer to clinch a Player of the Series award by a distance.
After scoring a brilliant 19-ball 50, his maiden international half-century, in the series opener, Suryavanshi demonstrated incredible maturity by scoring a more measured 49-ball 81 in the series finale.
The teenage sensation smashed 15 boundaries and nine maximums in the series, helping India win all three games by comfortable margins.
#2 Youngest batter to score a half-century in Men’s T20Is
It was a no-brainer that Vaibhav Suryavanshi was destined for several ‘Youngest’ records once he debuted for India at 15 in the England series before the T20I against Zimbabwe. The first of potentially many was accomplished in only his fourth game for India, when the teenager became the youngest-ever batter to score a half-century in Men’s T20Is.
In the series opener against Zimbabwe, Suryavanshi raised his bat for the first time in international cricket at 15 years and 118 days. The explosive left-hander reached the milestone off a mere 18 deliveries, helping India chase down 126 with ease in the 14th over.
Suryavanshi overtook Gibraltar’s Louis Bruce, who previously held this record with a half-century at 16 years and 56 days against Malta in 2021.
#3 Youngest Indian to win Player of the Match honors
After Vaibhav Suryavanshi became the youngest to score a T20I half-century in the opening game against Zimbabwe, another ‘Youngest’ feat was on its way two matches later. After India completed a comfortable win in the series finale by 35 runs, the 15-year-old was adjudged the Player of the Match for his 49-ball 81.
With his maiden international Player of the Match award at 15 years and 121 days, Suryavanshi leapfrogged the legendary Sachin Tendulkar to become the youngest to achieve the feat. Tendulkar won his first Player of the Match award in international cricket at 17 years and 112 days.
While Suryavanshi is second all-time for the youngest Player of the Match winner, behind Alusine Turay from Sierra Leone, he is the youngest to win the Player of the Match honors among full-member nations.
#4 Unique ‘Multiple’ record
Scoring an international half-century as a teenager is no easy feat, considering the rarity of its occurrence. Yet, doing so before turning 16 is something only two cricketers can stake claim to among full-member nations – Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Kushal Malla (Nepal).
However, Suryavanshi separated himself from Malla three days after joining him on this elite list. The Indian youngster became the first cricketer to score multiple half-centuries in Men’s international cricket before turning 16.
Suryavanshi achieved this feat with his 81 in the series finale against Zimbabwe, having started the series with a 19-ball 50.
#5 Maximizing the Maximums streak
Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s ability to clear the boundary ropes is second to none in world cricket at the moment. Yet the youngster has found the going challenging at times in his six-match international career.
Despite breaking several records during his two half-centuries, the southpaw hasn’t crossed 20 in his other four innings for India.
Nevertheless, Suryavanshi’s rare six-hitting prowess hasn’t evaded him even in ‘failures’. The youngster has cleared the boundary for a maximum at least once in all six of his international innings, propelling his overall T20I sixes tally to 14.
Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran