India reclaim top T20I ranking after Zimbabwe series success

By Arjun Nair / 26.07.2026

By Arjun Nair — 26 July 2026 — 3 min read

India has returned to the top position in the ICC Men’s T20I Team rankings following an unassailable 2-0 lead in their series against Zimbabwe in Harare. The team, current ICC Men’s T20 World Cup champions, took over the top spot from England, who had previously held it after a 4-0 T20I series win at home.

The second T20I against Zimbabwe saw strong batting performances from India. After losing two early wickets, Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer formed a 66-run partnership. Tilak Varma then contributed a notable knock, scoring 60 runs off 29 balls. Kishan was the highest scorer in that game, making 81 runs off 44 balls.

Speaking after the match, Kishan commented on the team’s approach, stating that as a batter at number three, the job is to focus on the ball and play naturally. He also mentioned the importance of understanding the wicket conditions, noting discussions within the team about target scores, ranging from 170-180 to potentially 230 or 250 runs. Kishan highlighted the partnership with Shreyas Iyer, emphasizing their goal to build the innings and take it deep, which he felt they executed well.

In pursuit of a target of 220, the Zimbabwean team, known as the Chevrons, lost five wickets within the first nine overs and were eventually bowled out for 129. This performance secured India’s unassailable lead in the T20I series.

Sooryavanshi’s Record-Breaking Feat

In related news, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continued to set records, becoming the first player in men’s international cricket to achieve multiple scores of 50 or more before turning 16. The left-handed opener accomplished this milestone during the third and final T20I against Zimbabwe in Harare on Sunday. He scored 81 runs off 48 balls, contributing to India’s total of 192/5 after they chose to bat first.

Previously, only Nepal’s Kushal Malla had recorded a 50-plus score in men’s internationals before turning 16. Sooryavanshi’s two such scores now place him ahead in this unique achievement.

Despite a pitch that offered assistance to bowlers, Sooryavanshi displayed a different aspect of his batting. He started cautiously, scoring 11 runs from his first 10 balls and 26 from his first 20 deliveries, before reaching his second T20I fifty in 31 balls. His innings featured characteristic strokeplay, including a drive for four off a yorker from Brad Evans and a 102-metre six off off-spinner Sikandar Raza. He also executed a reverse-sweep for a boundary against Wesley Madhevere.

While Sooryavanshi settled into his rhythm, his opening partner, Abhishek Sharma, continued a period of low scores. Abhishek edged Blessing Muzarabani to wicketkeeper Tadi Marumani for two runs. His recent six innings have yielded scores of 10, 16, 3, 1, 8, and 2, dating back to the third T20I against England in Nottingham last month.

Sooryavanshi then established a 75-run partnership for the second wicket with Ishan Kishan, who scored 29. Following this, he shared a 50-run partnership with captain Shreyas Iyer, who contributed 27 runs. Sooryavanshi’s innings of 81 concluded when Wesley Madhevere dismissed him, with Brad Evans completing the catch at long-off.

After the departures of Sooryavanshi and Shreyas, India’s scoring rate slowed. The middle order added 47 runs in the final five overs, with Rinku Singh’s 25 runs off 14 balls helping India approach the 200-run mark. India concluded their innings on 192/5, a total considered competitive on a bowling-friendly surface. The two teams are scheduled to play again on July 26, Sunday.

Source: icc-cricket.com