Vaibhav Sooryavanshi credits VVS Laxman, Kanitkar after Player of Series in Zimbabwe T20Is
Synopsis
A teenager who managed just 42 runs in England came to Zimbabwe and scored 151 in three innings — including an 81 off 49 balls on a slow Harare pitch. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's turnaround is as much a story of coaching trust as batting talent, with VVS Laxman and Hrishikesh Kanitkar giving him the freedom to play without fear in India's 3-0 T20I whitewash.
Key Takeaways
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was named Player of the Series after India's 3-0 T20I series win over Zimbabwe in Harare .
He scored 151 runs in three innings , including an 81 off 49 balls in the final match and a fifty off 19 balls in the first.
Sooryavanshi credited interim head coach VVS Laxman and batting coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar for giving him a 'free hand' and discussing his mindset before the series.
His Zimbabwe tally of 151 runs contrasts sharply with just 42 runs in three innings during the preceding England tour.
Sooryavanshi also highlighted his bond with Ishan Kishan , both hailing from Bihar , as key to his comfort in the senior setup.
Teenaged batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has credited interim head coach VVS Laxman and batting coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar for his stellar run in the India vs Zimbabwe T20I series, after being named Player of the Series following India's emphatic 3-0 whitewash. The series was played at the Harare Sports Club, with the final match concluding on Sunday, 27 July.
Sooryavanshi's Series Numbers
The teenager was the standout batter across the three-match contest, accumulating 151 runs in three innings. His most commanding knock came in the final T20I, where he top-scored with an 81 off 49 balls as India posted 192/5 on a slow Harare surface. He had also announced himself with a blistering fifty off just 19 balls in the opening game of the series.
The Zimbabwe series marked a sharp turnaround from his England tour, where Sooryavanshi had managed only 42 runs across three innings — underlining how much the coaching staff's backing and the conditions in Zimbabwe suited his aggressive approach.
What the Coaches Told Him
'Being a Player of the Match, playing for the senior Indian team, and being a Player of the Series is a dream come true for me. I am very happy and I would like to thank everyone who supported me in my journey. I am thankful to the seniors and coaching staff,' Sooryavanshi said in a video shared on the BCCI's official social media accounts on Monday.
He elaborated on the role of his coaches in settling his mindset ahead of the series. 'The way our head coaches, VVS sir and Hrishikesh sir spoke to me before the match, they discussed a lot with me about how I was feeling at that time. Before the series started, what I was feeling, what mindset I was in. They gave me a free hand and told me to just play and not think about anything,' he said.
The Bihar Connection With Ishan Kishan
Beyond the coaching staff, Sooryavanshi also pointed to his bond with wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan as a key factor in easing his transition into the senior setup. Both players hail from Bihar, and the shared regional roots have clearly helped the youngster feel at home in an otherwise unfamiliar environment.
'I don't feel that I am alone or that I am in a senior team. It feels like I play all the matches at all places. Ishan bhaiya is also from Bihar, so the vibe matches,' Sooryavanshi said.
What This Means for Sooryavanshi's Career
The 3-0 series win and the Player of the Series award represent a significant confidence boost for Sooryavanshi at a stage when questions had begun to surface about his adaptability at the senior international level following the England disappointment. The role of VVS Laxman — a batting great himself — in providing tactical clarity and emotional space to a teenager making his way in international cricket is consistent with the interim coach's known man-management philosophy. With the selectors watching closely, a series like this could well cement Sooryavanshi's place in India's T20I plans for the near future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Player of the Series in the India vs Zimbabwe T20I series?
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi won the Player of the Series award after scoring 151 runs across three innings in India's 3-0 T20I series win over Zimbabwe in Harare. His performances included an 81 off 49 balls in the final match.
What did Vaibhav Sooryavanshi say about VVS Laxman and Hrishikesh Kanitkar?
Sooryavanshi said the two coaches spoke to him at length before the series about his mindset and feelings, and gave him a 'free hand' to play without overthinking. He credited their guidance as a key reason for his turnaround form.
How did Sooryavanshi perform in the Zimbabwe T20I series?
Sooryavanshi scored 151 runs in three innings, including a fifty off just 19 balls in the first T20I and a top score of 81 off 49 balls in the final match, helping India post 192/5 on a slow Harare pitch.
How does Sooryavanshi's Zimbabwe form compare to his England tour?
The contrast is significant — Sooryavanshi managed just 42 runs in three innings during the England tour, compared to 151 runs in three innings in Zimbabwe. The coaching staff's approach and his improved mindset are cited as key factors.
What is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's connection with Ishan Kishan?
Both Sooryavanshi and Ishan Kishan hail from Bihar, and Sooryavanshi has said this shared background made him feel at ease in the senior Indian team environment during the Zimbabwe series.
