Harare, July 27, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has credited interim head coach VVS Laxman and batting coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar for giving him the confidence and freedom to express himself after being named Player of the Series in India’s 3-0 T20I sweep of Zimbabwe.
The young left-hander capped an impressive tour with a match-winning 81 off 49 balls in the third T20I at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday, helping India post 192/5 on a challenging surface. Earlier in the series, he had smashed a 19-ball half-century in the opening match.
Sooryavanshi finished the three-match series as the leading run-scorer with 151 runs, marking a remarkable turnaround after a difficult outing in England, where he managed just 42 runs across three innings.
Speaking in a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday, the youngster described the award as a dream come true.
“Being Player of the Match, playing for the senior Indian team, and being Player of the Series is a dream come true for me. I am very happy and thankful to everyone who supported me in my journey, especially the seniors and the coaching staff,” he said.
Sooryavanshi revealed that both Laxman and Kanitkar spent time understanding his mindset before the series and encouraged him to play without fear or unnecessary pressure.
“They discussed how I was feeling before the series, what my mindset was, and gave me a free hand. They told me to just play my natural game without thinking too much,” he said.
The youngster also spoke about the support he received from wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, who, like him, hails from Bihar. He said Kishan’s presence made him feel comfortable in the senior Indian dressing room.
“I don’t feel like I am alone or playing in the senior team. It feels natural. Ishan bhaiya is also from Bihar, so the vibe matches,” Sooryavanshi added.
India completed a clean sweep of the three-match T20I series, with Sooryavanshi emerging as one of the standout performers of the tour.
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