India will look to close out the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe when the two teams meet again in Harare on Saturday, having taken control of proceedings with a commanding performance in the opening fixture.
The tourists made light work of the target set in the series opener, comfortably chasing down Zimbabwe's total of 125 for 7 with as many as seven wickets and 40 ***** remaining. It was a result that left little doubt about which side had the upper hand throughout.
Much of the spotlight fell on teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who bounced back strongly from a disappointing tour of England by smashing a record-breaking half-century off just 18 ***** . The innings also handed new captain Shreyas Iyer his first win in charge of India's T20I side.
On the bowling front, Mayank Yadav marked his return from a lengthy injury layoff in style, finishing with impressive figures of 2 for 18, while Prince Yadav chipped in with two wickets of his own to round off a well-rounded bowling display.
With momentum firmly on their side, India will now look to build on that opening statement and push for an unassailable series lead heading into Saturday's second T20I in Harare.

#series #India #yadav

India vs Zimbabwe 2nd T20I 2026 live scorecard, toss winner, winning probability, result and highlights from Harare originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare
Captains: Shreyas Iyer (India), Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe)
Toss result: Toss is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. local or 4 p.m. IST
Live Telecast: Unite8 Sports Network, Fancode App/website (India), Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) TV (Zimbabwe), Hotstar UK (UK, England)

#toss #Cricket #live

After the bruising their T20 side endured on the UK tour, this Zimbabwe series could be just the ideal fillip India needed.
Having finally recorded their maiden win under new T20 captain Shreyas Iyer after seven winless matches at the helm, India will look to secure an unassailable 2-0 lead when they take on Zimbabwe in the second T20I at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday.
Following a difficult run that saw them whitewashed by Ireland (0-2) and England (0-4), India's convincing sevenwicket victory in the seriesopener has restored some much-needed confidence.
Yet, even as the visitors look to build on that momentum, one player who will be under the scanner is explosive opener Abhishek Sharma.
Two years ago, Harare was the venue where Abhishek announced himself on the international stage with a breathtaking maiden T20I hundred in only his second game.
The stylish left-hander returns to the same ground searching for a spark after a worrying dip in form. Having begun the England series promisingly with scores of 59 and 43, Abhishek's returns thereafter have read 10, 16, 3 and 1. In Thursday's opener, his uncomfortable eight-ball 1 suggested a batter short on rhythm and confidence.
With competition for places intensifying, Abhishek knows he needs runs. Senior opener Sanju Samson, though absent on this tour, remains in the selectors' plans and has been named in India's squad for the Asian Games later this year. A substantial score in Harare would not only help India seal the series but also strengthen Abhishek's own case in a rapidly evolving T20 setup.
India, though, found a new hero in the opening match.
Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashed a stunning 18-ball fifty, becoming the youngest player to score a T20I half-century.
The 15-year-old, who had endured a difficult England tour where pacy bowlers like Jofra Archer tested him relentlessly with short-pitched bowling, responded in style against Zimbabwe.
Taking on Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani fearlessly, he produced a blistering innings that underlined why he is so highly rated.
Supported by Ishan Kishan's brisk 35 and an unbeaten 28 from skipper Iyer, Sooryavanshi ensured India chased down the target with more than six overs to spare.
Head coach VVS Laxman would have been equally pleased by the performance of India's revamped pace attack. The biggest positive was the return of Mayank Yadav, who made an impressive comeback after two injury-ravaged years. The Delhi quick finished with figures of 2 for 18 and consistently touched high speeds, with his opening delivery to Brian Bennett at 150 kmph indidcating that his pace remains intact.
Prince Yadav also showed signs of improvement after a lean England tour, while debutant Ashok Sharma displayed enough promise to suggest he could become another exciting fast-bowling option.

#zimbabwe #harare #iyer

Shreyas Iyer finally ended his wait for a victory as India's T20I captain after leading the side to a convincing seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the opening match of the three-game series in Harare on Thursday.

The result marked Shreyas' first win since taking over the captaincy from Suryakumar Yadav earlier this year. India had endured a difficult run under his leadership, beginning with a shock 2-0 series defeat to Ireland before suffering a 4-0 drubbing against England in a five-match T20I series.

Former India opener Sadagopan Ramesh said the celebrations following the Zimbabwe win were understandable given the team's recent struggles, insisting the victory would come as a major relief for the skipper.

"Many are saying India shouldn't be so excited for just a win over Zimbabwe. Yet, when you are starving for a victory for so long in T20Is, even leftover food will taste like a wedding meal. Shreyas Iyer will be relieved, considering India's fall under his captaincy. He would have reached a point where a win over anyone would have been enough for him," Ramesh said in a video uploaded on Instagram.

Ramesh also reserved praise for VVS Laxman, who is serving as India's interim head coach for the Zimbabwe tour. He credited the former India batter for consistently delivering positive results whenever he takes charge of the national side.

"VVS Laxman also deserves high praise. India perform well every time he's the head coach. Under him, India seem to always whitewash the opponents, even at a time the other teams are constantly whitewashing India otherwise. It got to the point where India just needed a win of any kind and hence their elation after beating even Zimbabwe," he added.

India's victory was further highlighted by a historic knock from teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The 15-year-old blazed his way to a maiden international half-century in just 18 ****** , becoming the youngest player to score a fifty in men's international cricket.

Sooryavanshi reached the milestone at the age of 15 years and 118 days, eclipsing the previous record held by Sachin Tendulkar. The batting great was 16 years and 213 days old when he registered his maiden international fifty against Pakistan in a Test at Faisalabad in 1989.

#shreyas #victory #series

Mayank Yadav's return to international cricket could hardly have gone better, and former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes the young fast bowler deserves patience after overcoming a difficult spell with injuries.

Playing his first international match since October 2024, Mayank announced his comeback in style during the opening T20I against Zimbabwe in Harare. The speedster was named Player of the Match after producing a match-winning spell that began with a wicket off the very first ball of the contest.

Mayank removed Brian Bennett for a duck with a hard-length delivery that straightened after pitching, forcing an outside edge that was safely taken behind the stumps. He continued to test Zimbabwe's batters with his pace and discipline, dismissing Dion Myers during the powerplay to leave the hosts under immediate pressure. His spell laid the platform for India's commanding bowling display.

The performance marked a significant moment in the pacer's career after an injury-plagued period stalled his rapid rise. Initially fast-tracked into the Indian side as part of the team's long-term plans for the 2026 T20 World Cup, Mayank spent the past two years battling recurring fitness issues that repeatedly interrupted his progress.

Speaking on 'Ash ki Baat', Ashwin reflected on the challenges of returning from multiple injuries and urged fans to avoid judging players too quickly.

"It is not easy to go through a stress fracture at a young age. We often see and think, why is he always retained? He is always injured. We easily tell this. No player plays to get injured. Injury can be very painful. It is not just physical but also a mental barrier, especially if you are injured twice. It is not easy on the body. If it resurfaces, it plays on your mind. Mayank Yadav has a lot of time and is exceptionally talented. I want him to play more," he said on 'Ash ki Baat'.

Ashwin also acknowledged India's convincing start to the series and congratulated new T20I captain Shreyas Iyer on securing his maiden victory as skipper.

"Congratulations to Shreyas for the first win. He would have been searching for it. There is not a lot to see when you restrict Zimbabwe to 120-odd. Mayank, Prince, and Ashok all got an opportunity," he said.

Mayank's impressive return has not only revived India's pace options but also reinforced why he continues to be viewed as one of the country's most exciting fast-bowling prospects when fully fit.

#ashwin #first #baat

India vs Zimbabwe 2nd T20I 2026 lineups as Shreyas Iyer aims to win his maiden series as captain originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Shreyas Iyer seeks maiden series win as India lead Zimbabwe series 1-0.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's record fifty, Mayank Yadav's spell power first victory.
The second T20I is set for Saturday in Harare, with the third T20I slated for Sunday.
Fresh off a much-needed victory under new skipper Shreyas Iyer, India will look to build on that momentum and seal an unassailable series lead when they face Zimbabwe in the second T20I at Harare on Saturday.

#zimbabwe #shreyas #series

Showing the kind of murderous touch that has made him the most feared batsman in the IPL, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi blazed to his maiden international half-century as India thrashed Zimbabwe by seven wickets, with 40 ******* to spare, in the opening T20I at the Harare Sports Club on Thursday.

Aged 15 years and 118 days, Sooryavanshi smashed 50 off only 18 ******* in an innings studded with four sixes and four fours.

The teenage batting sensation had endured a difficult start to his international career during India's T20I series against England in July, after scores of 14 (10), 13 (5) and 15 (10) in his first three innings.

Returning to the scene of his 80-ball 175 against England in the 2026 U-19 World Cup final, the precociously talented opener produced a dazzling display to make light work of a modest 126-run chase, racing to an 18-ball fifty.

Sooryavanshi smashed 19 runs off Richard Ngarava in the second over, clobbering the left-arm pacer for two sixes.

Zimbabwe hit back in the third over as Blessing Muzarabani (2-26) had Abhishek Sharma, who scratched around for one off eight ******* , caught at deep backward point off a slash. But Sooryavanshi continued to attack, launching two more sixes straight down the ground besides several fiercely struck boundaries.

He eventually fell to Ngarava in the seventh over, chasing a wide delivery outside off and top-edging to Ben Curran at deep third. By then, however, India had raced to 68 and the youngster had virtually settled the contest.

The visitors completed the chase in just 13.2 overs. The win also ended new T20 captain Shreyas Iyer's winless run, as he registered his maiden victory in his eighth match in charge. Shreyas had lost six of his first seven games as captain during the tours of Ireland and England.

It was also India's first win to kick off the three-match series since lifting the 2026 T20 World Cup in March.

Earlier, India's new-look pace attack starred after the visitors elected to field, with Mayank Yadav (2-18) and Prince Yadav (2-19) sharing four wickets for just 37 runs in eight overs to restrict Zimbabwe to 125 for seven.

Vindicating the selectors' decision to back him despite an ordinary IPL 2026, Mayank made an immediate impact by dismissing opener Brian Bennett, who had scored 97 against India in the 2026 T20 World Cup in Chennai, with the very first ball of the match.

His 150 kmph thunderbolt brushed Bennett's bat before carrying through to wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan, whose review overturned the umpire's decision. Mayank struck again in the fifth over, removing No. 3 batter Dion Myers for six, caught at mid-on.

Prince accounted for the other opener, debutant Ben Curran, as Zimbabwe slumped to 20 for three. The hosts slipped further to 32 for four in the eighth over when captain Sikandar Raza (4) pulled Shivam Dube straight to substitute fielder Suryansh Shedge at deep midwicket.
132599382
Brief scores: India 126 for 3 (Sooryavanshi 50, Kisha

NEW DELHI: India captain Shreyas Iyer reserved special praise for teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after the 15-year-old produced a breathtaking match-winning knock to power India to a seven-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the opening T20I in Harare on Thursday.

Sooryavanshi smashed 50 off just 19 ***** , bringing up his maiden international half-century in only 18 deliveries as India chased down 126 in just 13.2 overs. The left-hander's explosive innings also saw him become the youngest player in men's international cricket to score a fifty, eclipsing a record previously held by Nepal's Kushal Malla.

Following the emphatic victory, Iyer was full of admiration for the teenager's fearless approach.

"He is fearless, the way he approaches the innings is amazing. He possesses immense confidence when he steps onto the field," Iyer said after registering his first victory as India's T20I captain.
Sooryavanshi's international career had begun quietly earlier this month during India's tour of England, where scores of 14, 13 and 15 saw him dropped for the final T20I as India lost the series.

However, a return to the Harare Sports Club — where he had blasted 175 off just 80 ***** in the Under-19 World Cup final earlier this year — proved to be the perfect stage for the youngster to announce himself.

ALSO READ: Sooryavanshi's emotional 'A' celebration steals hearts after historic world-record fifty - Watch

After taking four deliveries to settle in, Sooryavanshi launched a stunning counterattack. He hammered four boundaries and four towering sixes, dismantling Zimbabwe's bowling attack with a fearless display of strokeplay.

His innings effectively ended the contest inside the Powerplay before Richard Ngarava eventually dismissed him one ball after he reached his half-century.

Ishan Kishan (35) and captain Iyer (28 not out) then completed the chase with ease.
The victory also marked a significant personal milestone for Iyer, who finally tasted success after enduring a difficult start to his tenure as India's T20I captain.

Having lost all seven of his previous matches in charge during tours of Ireland and England, the 31-year-old celebrated his maiden win as skipper in style.

Iyer praised both his bowlers and batters for executing the team's plans perfectly.

"Exceptional. They were tremendous in their execution. Can't be more happier to get my first win," he said.

The captain also explained his decision to bowl first after winning the toss.

"I was anticipating the bounce and there was a decent amount of bounce. Exceptional start given by Mayank. Didn't give them room," he said.

Mayank Yadav set the tone by dismissing Brian Bennett with the very first ball of the match before finishing with two wickets, while Prince Yadav also claimed two scalps as Zimbabwe were restricted to 125 for seven. India then made light work of the chase thanks largely to Sooryavanshi's stunning ***** ault.

#iyer #India #s

India finally ended their seven-match winless run under captain Shreyas Iyer, defeating Zimbabwe by seven wickets in the first T20I at Harare on Thursday. The match also witnessed teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi script history by becoming the youngest player to score a T20I half-century.

After winning the toss, Iyer opted to bowl first, and India's pace attack justified the decision with a clinical performance.
Returning to international cricket for the first time since October 2024 after recovering from a stress fracture, Mayank Yadav made an immediate impact. The express pacer dismissed Brian Bennett with the very first ball of the match before removing Dion Myers, consistently clocking speeds in excess of 145 kmph.

Zimbabwe were reduced to 26/3 inside the powerplay and slipped further to 32/4 after Shivam Dube dismissed captain Sikandar Raza.

A fighting partnership between Wessly Madhevere (39) and Ryan Burl (26), along with an unbeaten 27 off 20 from Tadiwanashe Marumani, helped the hosts recover to 125/7 in their allotted 20 overs. Debutant Ashok Sharma recovered well after an expensive first over, while Ravi Bishnoi bowled economically to finish with 1/24.
Chasing 126, India suffered an early setback when Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for just 1. However, it proved to be Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's day.

The 15-year-old prodigy unleashed a breathtaking ****** ault, smashing 50 off just 19 ****** with four fours and four sixes. In the process, he became the youngest player ever to score a T20I half-century, putting India firmly in control of the chase before falling immediately after reaching his milestone.

Captain Shreyas Iyer anchored the innings with an unbeaten 28 off 24 ****** , while Ishan Kishan chipped in with a quick 35 off 24. Tilak Varma struck the winning runs as India completed the chase comfortably with seven wickets in hand.

For Zimbabwe, Blessing Muzarabani was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, dismissing Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, while Richard Ngarava claimed the prized scalp of Sooryavanshi.

The victory marked Shreyas Iyer's first win as India's T20I captain, ending a frustrating seven-match winless streak that included the tours of Ireland and England, while Sooryavanshi's record-breaking knock stole the headlines in Harare.

#seven #shreyas

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — The 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi hit his first international half-century for India as Zimbabwe was comfortably beaten by seven wickets in a Twenty20 on Thursday.
Sooryavanshi scored 50 off 18 ***** . He was out next ball at 68-2, top-edging an attempted cut at Richard Ngarava.
But the teenager had turned the chase of 126 into a doddle and Shreyas Iyer was in the middle at 126-3 to celebrate his first win as captain in eight T20s. Zimbabwe made 125-7 after Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav took two wickets each.
Sooryavanshi replaced Sachin Tendulkar this month as the youngest player to represent India but his output in the T20 series in England was modest: 14, 13, 15 at a strike rate of 168. He was replaced for the last match and India lost the series 4-0.
The selectors hoped Sooryavanshi would thrive in a low-key series at the same cricket ground where he blasted 175 off 80 ***** against England in February in the final of the Under-19 World Cup.

#India #series #first #wickets

India ended their seven-match losing streak as they beat Zimbabwe by seven wickets in the first T20I in Harare on Thursday.
Since defending the T20 World Cup ******* le in March, India hasn't won a single match in the shortest format, going down 0-2 to Ireland before a 0-4 sweep against England.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was the star of the match with a blistering 50 off just 18 ******* , before Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer sealed a comfortable victory.
Add The Sporting News as a preferred news source

#t20i #thursday #since #World

Shreyas Iyer was officially handed the reins of India's T20I side as the team geared up for its tour of Ireland and England across June and July.
Alongside this appointment, Tilak Varma took over as his deputy, stepping into the vice-captain's role previously held by Axar Patel.
The squad announcement also brought attention to 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who had earned his maiden senior call-up on the strength of a sensational IPL campaign with Rajasthan Royals.
Iyer's elevation to the national captaincy hasn't come out of nowhere. It stems almost entirely from the leadership credentials he built across various IPL franchises over the years.

#across #shreyas #iyer #england

Shreyas Iyer captaincy record in all formats - Tests, T20Is, ODIs, IPL and more originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Shreyas Iyer was named India T20I captain months after T20 World Cup triumph; Suryakumar Yadav dropped from the squad.
Tilak Varma replaced Axar Patel as the new T20I vice-captain.
Shreyas Iyer went on a seven-match winless run as captain in the UK before finally winning his maiden game against Zimbabwe in Harare in the first match of the three-match T20I contest.
Shreyas Iyer took the helm as India's new T20I captain as they faced Ireland in the tour of Ireland and England in June and July.

#iyer #match

India will look to end their losing streak as they take on Zimbabwe in the first T20I in Harare on Thursday.
Since defending the T20 World Cup ***** le in March, India hasn't won a single match in the shortest format -- going down 0-2 to Ireland before a 0-4 sweep against England.
Shreyas Iyer leads out a young Indian squad, which includes teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Meanwhile, the talismanic Sikandar Raza will captain Zimbabwe, who defeated Australia and reached the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup earlier this year.
Add The Sporting News as a preferred news source

#ireland

India vs Zimbabwe 1st T20I 2026 live score, toss winner, winning probability, result and highlights from Harare originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare
Captains: Shreyas Iyer (India), Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe)
Toss result: India won (Field first)
Live Telecast: Unite8 Sports Network, Fancode App/website (India), Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) TV (Zimbabwe), Hotstar UK (UK, England)

#result

India will look to end their losing streak as they take on Zimbabwe in the first T20I in Harare on Thursday.
Since defending the the T20 World Cup **** le in March, India hasn't won a single match in the shortest format -- going down 0-2 to Ireland before a 0-4 sweep against England.
Shreyas Iyer leads out a young Indian squad, which includes teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Meanwhile, the talismanic Sikandar Raza will captain Zimbabwe, who defeated Australia and reached the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup earlier this year.
Add The Sporting News as a preferred news source

#zimbabwe #World #since #ireland

Shreyas Iyer returns as India T20I captain for the three-match series in Zimbabwe, starting with the first T20I on Thursday.
The visitors will be eager to bounce back after recent T20I series defeats to Ireland and England, with a squad that combines experienced names such as Iyer, Tilak Varma and Ishan Kishan with several emerging players.
Zimbabwe, led by Sikandar Raza, will look to make the most of home conditions and challenge a relatively inexperienced Indian pace attack.
While India start as favourites on paper because of their stronger batting depth, the hosts will hope to capitalise on familiar conditions and push the visitors in what promises to be a competitive opening contest.

#India

India begins a three-match T20I series in Zimbabwe that carries far more significance than the opposition and setting might suggest.
The reigning T20 World Cup champions have not won a match in the format since lifting the trophy in March, a run of six consecutive defeats that took in a 2-0 sweep by Ireland and a 4-0 defeat by England.
That collapse cost India their world No. 1 ranking and prompted a BCCI review, leaving Shreyas Iyer under considerable pressure, having lost both series since taking charge as captain.
Zimbabwe, meanwhile, arrive fresh from a home series against Bangladesh and will believe there is a genuine opening. Sikandar Raza's side have never won a bilateral T20I series against India, but they have rarely faced them at a lower ebb.
With the LA 2028 Olympic qualification cycle also running through this year's rankings, these matches matter more than a routine tour. Here is everything you need to know about the series.

#series #India #ireland

Shreyas Iyer says India took many positives from their tour of England.
The captain is in Zimbabwe for the first time ahead of the three-match T20I series.
India have lost six consecutive T20Is since winning the World Cup in March.
India arrive in Harare carrying the weight of the worst run they have known in the shortest format. Six consecutive T20I defeats have followed their World Cup triumph in March, including a 2-0 sweep by Ireland and a 4-0 whitewash by England.
That collapse cost India their world No. 1 ranking, prompted a BCCI review, and left Shreyas Iyer without a single win in two series as captain. The scrutiny on his leadership has grown steadily louder with each defeat.

#World #shreyas #iyer #march

England's 2-1 ODI series triumph over India has been rewarded in the latest ICC Men's ODI Batting Rankings, with veteran batter Joe Root returning to the top 10 after a sensational series in which he remained unbeaten throughout.

Root, who was named Player of the Series, produced unbeaten scores of 76, 99 and 74 to anchor England's first bilateral ODI series victory over India since 2018. His consistency has lifted him four places to No. 8 in the ICC rankings, marking his return to the top 10 for the first time since 2020.

England opener Ben Duckett was another major beneficiary after his record-breaking 141 in the third ODI at Lord's. The left-hander jumped 11 places to joint-19th, with his match-winning knock becoming the highest individual score in a Men's ODI at the iconic venue, according to an ICC media release.
Despite India losing the series, several Indian batters made gains in the latest rankings following strong individual performances.

Rohit Sharma's magnificent 138 in the Lord's decider helped him reduce the gap on Virat Kohli to just nine rating points. Rohit remains fourth in the ODI batting rankings, while Kohli occupies third. India captain Shubman Gill continues to hold the No. 2 position and is just one rating point behind New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell, who remains the world's top-ranked ODI batter with 802 rating points.

Middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer also climbed two places to 13th after scoring a fighting 66 in the second ODI at Cardiff.
Rank
Player

#root #player #rohit

TimesofIndia.com in Birmingham: All-rounders Axar Patel and Washington Sundar successfully guided Team India to a 259-run chase in the first ODI against England at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Tuesday. The six-wicket victory ended India's three-week winless streak in the UK, where they had suffered a 0-2 defeat to Ireland and a 0-4 whitewash against England in the T20I series. The win also extended India's unbeaten run against England in ODIs to six consecutive victories while ending England's seven-match winning streak at Edgbaston.

The 102-run stand between Axar and Washington for the fifth wicket, under the blazing sun, lifted the proverbial clouds that had briefly converged over India's march towards victory. In a matter of 20 minutes, India lost skipper Shubman Gill to cramps, Shreyas Iyer to a run-out, and KL Rahul, who dragged a wide delivery onto his stumps. India went from 149/2 to 160/4 in a jiffy, with the trio back in the hut. England, who had been pegged back by the 101-run partnership between Gill (80 off 75 ****** ) and Iyer (35 off 53 ****** ), were suddenly roaring in celebration, as were the 20,744 in attendance. 'Wonderwall', 'It's Coming Home' and 'Hey Jude' echoed around the ground as the FIFA World Cup fever, fuelled by Harry Kane & Co.'s run to the semi-finals, blended with England's surge at Edgbaston.

With 99 runs still required, the challenge was less about the required run rate of 4.5 an over and more about handling the sudden pressure after the loss of three quick wickets. Both Axar and Washington had just arrived at the crease and faced a daunting task. Instead of being bogged down, the southpaws, the first left-handers in India's XI after the quartet of right-handers, tackled the situation with aplomb.
The duo saw off Will Jacks and Sam Curran, with the four overs yielding just nine runs. Adil Rashid's reintroduction allowed Washington to free his arms with a boundary and a nine-run over. The next two overs, as Curran and Jacks continued, yielded 18 runs, with the duo's confidence evidently growing.

Axar was the main man at this stage. A slog sweep off Jacks and consecutive boundaries off Jofra Archer meant the runs were starting to flow comfortably. At the other end, Washington enjoyed watching his teammate bat.
"The way he batted was magical and it was a treat for me to watch from the other end," he said at the post-match press conference.

The next four overs reflected the same level-headed approach. As the fifty-run partnership came and went, the duo collected nine runs in three overs while seeing off Archer's full quota of 10 overs. The following two overs produced another 19 runs, allowing Axar and Washington to slow things down again over the next three overs.

Having navigated the chase to perfection, the duo grew in confidence and momentum, fittingly capped by Washington's cracking shot in the 45th over that sealed the match. A floated delivery from Adil Rashid was too full and in the slot for

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Sunday announced two changes to India's squads for the upcoming series of England and Zimbabwe after injuries to Harshit Rana and Varun Chakravarthy.

Fast bowler Prince Yadav has replaced Harshit Rana in India's squad for the ODI series against England. Harshit has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, meanwhile, has been drafted into India's squad for the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe later this month, replacing Varun Chakravarthy.

Bishnoi was not part of the original squad but has now been included after it was confirmed that Varun will need more time to recover from the hamstring injury that also ruled him out of the final two T20Is against England.

Bishnoi featured in the first two matches of India's five-match T20I series in England. India did not bowl in the opening game after rain washed it out. In the second T20I at Old Trafford, Bishnoi conceded 60 runs in his four overs. He also bowled three back-foot no-balls and gave away two sixes and a four from the resulting free-hits.

Varun will now report to the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru for further ****** sment and rehabilitation. Harshit Rana will also join him there after suffering a hamstring injury that has ruled him out of the three-match ODI series against England.

Varun had only recently returned to action during the T20I series in Ireland before playing the first two T20Is against England. The latest injury is another setback after he fractured his left toe during the latter stages of IPL 2026. He played through the injury before missing the T20I series against Afghanistan and Ireland while recovering at the CoE.

Chakravarthy also struggled for form in England, taking just one wicket while conceding runs at an economy rate of 10.28.

India's updated squad for England ODIs: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (Vice-Captain), KL Rahul (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit ****** rah, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar, Prince Yadav

India's updated squad for Zimbabwe T20Is: Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma (Vice-Captain), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Suryansh Shedge, Rinku Singh, Harsh Dubey, Prince Yadav, Yash Thakur, Ashok Sharma, Mayank Yadav, Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Ravi Bishnoi

'One of the best players in the world': Moeen Ali suggests India bring back T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav after disastrous T20I campaign in UK originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
India suffer 4-0 whitewash, lose No.1 T20I ranking after Southampton defeat to England.
Moeen Ali urges India to reinstate World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav.
Shreyas Iyer has won just one of seven T20Is since taking over the captaincy.
Former spinner Moeen Ali suggested that India should bring back T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav after they ended on the wrong end of a 0-4 scoreline and a surrender of the No.1 spot in the ICC team rankings to England.

India vs England 5th T20I 2026 live score, toss winner, winning probability, result and highlights from Southampton originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Venue: Rose Bowl, Southampton
Captains: Shreyas Iyer (India), Harry Brook (England)
Toss result: Team India won the toss and chose to bowl first.
Live Telecast: Sony Sports Network (India), Willow TV (USA, Canada), Sky Sports (UK, England)

India travel to Southampton for the fifth and final T20 international against England, already having conceded the series, as the reigning T20 world champions look to walk away from a bruising tour with at least a shred of dignity intact.
Following the washed-out opener in Durham, India have now dropped three consecutive matches, leaving them searching for answers as they arrive at the Utilita Bowl.
England sealed their first-ever T20I series win over India in Bristol, cruising to a comfortable nine-wicket victory powered once again by standout performances from Harry Brook and Phil Salt.
This defeat extended India's losing streak to five straight T20I matches, an unprecedented run in the format for the team, and one that has placed enormous pressure on newly appointed captain Shreyas Iyer barely into his tenure.
The final match still carries significant weight for both sides; England have the chance to claim the world's top T20I ranking from India by completing a full series sweep, while a win for India, even a solitary one, would offer some much-needed relief for Iyer's leadership.

July 11 (Reuters) - India's challenging U.K. tour threw up another obstacle on Saturday when a ‌traffic jam delayed their arrival at Southampton ‌for the fifth and final Twenty20 International against England.
Shreyas Iyer's side reached the ground five minutes after the scheduled toss time, forcing officials to delay the start to allow India warm-up time. Play started 30 minutes late.
The ‌delay was the latest ⁠hiccup in a trip that has produced little joy for the T20 world ⁠champions who arrived in England after suffering their first-ever T20 defeat and first-ever T20 series loss to Ireland in a 2-0 sweep in Belfast.
They have since failed ‌to win a game against England and trail 3-0 in the five-match series after the opener ended in a no result due to rain.
"I personally feel that we've seen almost everything in this series ‌and also the one which we played before," Iyer said. "So, another challenge, another day altogether."

India vs England 5th T20I 2026 live score, toss winner, winning probability, result and highlights from Southampton originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Venue: Rose Bowl, Southampton
Captains: Shreyas Iyer (India), Harry Brook (England)
Toss result: Team India won the toss and chose to bowl first.
Live Telecast: Sony Sports Network (India), Willow TV (USA, Canada), Sky Sports (UK, England)

India vs England 5th T20I 2026 live score, toss winner, winning probability, result and highlights from Southampton originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Venue: Rose Bowl, Southampton
Captains: Shreyas Iyer (India), Harry Brook (England)
Toss result: The official toss has been delayed by 45 minutes from 2:00 PM local time to 2:45 PM local time due to Team India getting stuck
Live Telecast: Sony Sports Network (India), Willow TV (USA, Canada), Sky Sports (UK, England)

Most runs by an Indian captain in a T20I series in SENA nations: Shreyas Iyer goes past Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Shreyas Iyer surpasses Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav's records for most runs by an India captain in the SENA series.
His unbeaten 80 in Bristol included 44 runs off just a 16-ball Rashid Khan spell.
However, his captaincy is under scrutiny after two consecutive series defeats.
Shreyas Iyer has gone and done something no Indian captain has managed before, piling up more runs in a single T20I series in SENA conditions than anyone who's led the side previously.

India's batting order was picked apart in Nottingham, as a dominant 125-run defeat to England became the heaviest loss the side has ever suffered in T20 internationals, stretching their winless streak on this UK tour and leaving skipper Shreyas Iyer still chasing his first win since taking charge.
With the fourth T20I in Bristol arriving almost immediately, India have precious little breathing room to process what went wrong before having to fix it.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir acknowledged after the Trent Bridge defeat that his team had struggled to read match conditions accurately, a recurring issue that has undermined their performances throughout this tour.
Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue, who together accounted for seven wickets, stuck to a straightforward but effective plan of bowling short of a good length, using extra pace and bounce to unsettle India's batters and force errors consistently.
India will need a smarter, more adaptive response against the same pace pairing if they hope to keep their series-levelling hopes alive.