India eye series win as they take on Zimbabwe in the 2nd T20I at Harare

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Match Overview

After a commanding victory in the series opener, Shreyas Iyer’s India will look to seal the three-match T20I series when they face Zimbabwe in the second game at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday, July 25, 2026.

The visitors currently lead the series 1-0 after a clinical seven-wicket win in the first T20I, and a victory in this match would give India an unassailable 2-0 lead with one game to spare.

The opening win was powered by teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who smashed a record-breaking 18-ball fifty, while returning pacer Mayank Yadav impressed with figures of 2/18.

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Match Details

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Where to Watch

• Live TV Broadcast: Unite8 Sports channels

• Live Streaming: FanCode app and website

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Pitch & Weather Report

The Harare Sports Club is expected to offer another good batting surface after India comfortably chased down 126 in the opening match. Warm winter conditions, with temperatures between 22°C and 24°C, are forecast.

Situated at an altitude of nearly 1,400 metres, the venue often sees the ball travel further, making it favourable for aggressive stroke play. As the match progresses, the pitch tends to slow down, bringing spinners into the game. A competitive contest between bat and ball is expected, with teams likely to benefit from making the most of the powerplay.

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Series So Far – A Resurgent India

India’s win in the first T20I marked a welcome turnaround for the three-time T20 World Cup champions, who had endured winless tours of Ireland (0-2) and England (0-4) prior to arriving in Zimbabwe.

The victory ended India’s seven-match winless run in T20Is, gave Shreyas Iyer his first win as captain and put the visitors 1-0 up in the three-match series.

Key Performers from the 1st T20I:

• Vaibhav Sooryavanshi – Smashed a record-breaking 18-ball fifty, becoming the youngest player to score an international half-century. He hit four fours and four sixes in his 19-ball 50.

• Mayank Yadav – Impressive return from injury with figures of 2/18 from 4 overs, striking with the opening ball of the match

• Ishan Kishan – Brisk 35 runs from 24 deliveries to support the chase

• Shreyas Iyer – Unbeaten 28 runs from 24 balls as captain

• Prince Yadav – Chipped in with 2/29 in a much-improved performance

• Ashok Sharma – Encouraging pace on debut, though wicket-less

India chased down Zimbabwe’s total of 125/7 with 40 balls and seven wickets to spare.

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What’s at Stake?

For India: A win in the second T20I would give Shreyas Iyer his maiden series win as captain and allow the team management to experiment with combinations in the final match. India now lead the three-match T20I series 1-0 and aim to seal it on July 25.

For Zimbabwe: The hosts will be desperate to level the series and avoid an early series defeat. Their primary concern remains the top-order’s vulnerability against genuine pace. Zimbabwe would rue losing far too many wickets in the powerplay while not being able to handle the pace the Indian bowlers generated. From 26 for three, the hosts struggled to build momentum.

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Squads

India Squad

Shreyas Iyer (captain), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma (vice-captain), Ishan Kishan (wk), Shivam Dube, Suryansh Shedge, Rinku Singh, Harsh Dubey, Ravi Bishnoi, Prince Yadav, Yash Thakur, Ashok Sharma, Mayank Yadav, Prabhsimran Singh (wk).

Zimbabwe Squad

Sikandar Raza (captain), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Tanaka Chivanga, Ben Curran, Brad Evans, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Innocent Kaia, Tafadzwa Tsiga.

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Predicted Playing XIs

India (Probable XI)

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Prince Yadav, Ashok Sharma, Mayank Yadav

Zimbabwe (Probable XI)

Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Brad Evans, Newman Nyamhuri, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani

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Key Battles to Watch

1. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi vs Blessing Muzarabani – The young sensation, who scored 50 off just 19 balls in the opener, against Zimbabwe’s pace spearhead who dismissed Abhishek Sharma early

2. Mayank Yadav vs Sikandar Raza – India’s returning pacer, who struck with the opening ball on his comeback, against Zimbabwe’s most experienced batter

3. Abhishek Sharma’s redemption – The opener, who began his T20I journey here at the Harare Sports Club and struck his maiden hundred in the format in the second game itself two years ago, would be keen to make amends after falling cheaply in the opening game

4. India’s pace attack vs Zimbabwe’s top order – India’s young pace attack exposed Zimbabwe’s top order, reducing the hosts to 32 for four

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Head-to-Head Record

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What to Expect

India will look to continue their winning momentum and seal the series early. With a young and energetic pace attack and explosive batting, the visitors are clear favourites. However, Zimbabwe, led by the experienced Sikandar Raza, will be determined to bounce back on home soil and keep the series alive.

The collective effort from a young pace attack would have pleased the team management, which has VVS Laxman in charge as the head coach for this series. Mayank Yadav’s pace as well as control was top notch in the opening contest, with the dismissal of Zimbabwe batting mainstay Brian Bennett on a delivery that shaped away being the standout.

Sooryavanshi’s much-awaited international debut in England earlier this month did not go to plan, but he made an immediate impact on his return to the Harare Sports Club, where he had scored a memorable 175 in the Under-19 World Cup final earlier this year.

• India vs Zimbabwe 2nd T20I Full Coverage – The Statesman

• India vs Zimbabwe 2nd T20 Preview – Deccan Herald

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