Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
ZIMBABWE’S hopes of opening the T20 International series with victory were dashed after reigning world champions India claimed a comfortable seven-wicket win in the first match at Harare Sports Club on Thursday to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
The Chevrons were restricted to 125 for seven, with a resilient 50-run partnership between Wessly Madhevere and Tadiwanashe Marumani providing the highlight of an otherwise challenging batting performance.
The long-time teammates, who grew up together in Chitungwiza and progressed through Zimbabwe’s age-group system, steadied the innings after an early setback, but were unable to lift the hosts to a more competitive total.
Madhevere admitted Zimbabwe fell short with the bat.
“Having a guy like Marumani around is good because we understand each other and he is always aggressive, so it allows me to settle, but we should have done better and batted well to put a decent total against the Indian side; we should come back stronger,” he said.
While Zimbabwe’s middle-order resistance briefly raised hopes, India’s chase was dominated by 15-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Returning to Harare, where he was named Player of the Tournament during the ICC Under-19 World Cup staged in Zimbabwe earlier this year, the teenager produced a blistering innings, reaching his half-century from just 18 deliveries.
His explosive knock propelled India to victory with 40 balls to spare, sealing a seven-wicket win and giving the visitors the early advantage in the series.
Zimbabwe will now be under pressure to respond when the teams meet in the second T20 International at Harare Sports Club on Saturday, where the Chevrons must win to keep the series alive.
