Who Said What? What did Shreyas Iyer, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Sikandar Raza say after ZIMvIND, 3rd T20I?

India secured a 35-run win over Zimbabwe in the third and final T20I of the series at Harare Sports Club in Harare to seal the series 3-0 on Sunday, July 26.

Delving into the details of the game, India posted a dominating total of 192/5 in 20 overs. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (81) was the top scorer with eight fours and four sixes. Brad Evans scalped two wickets.

In the chase, Zimbabwe could score 157/7 in 20 overs, losing the game by 35 runs. Ryan Burl was the top scorer, amassing an unbeaten 54-run knock. Mayank Yadav scalped a three-wicket haul.

On that note, let’s take a look at who said what after ZIMvIND, 3rd T20I.

Shreyas Iyer, Indian captain:

(First win as the captain, first series win as captain. What are your takeouts from the series?) As we saw how fearless they are, they are a young bunch of players who have been showing tremendous energy on the field and the intent, especially when you play back-to-back games. To have such kind of energy is what I require as a captain and as a team, and they could deliver today as well, back-to-back games. So, yeah, a special feeling for me to win the series over here in Zimbabwe. Clinical, 3-0. So it’s going to be a special moment. (Is there an extra bit of responsibility on yourself as a captain, having played a lot more than some of these youngsters in the side?) I think if you see the record, I’ve played almost a similar amount of matches compared to all of them, which is around 55 to 60. So, I mean, experience-wise, there are many players who have tremendous experience because nowadays they play in the IPL as well. So, yeah, they are special talent and the best you could get out of them, it’s beneficial for the team as well. So every time I step onto the field, I see to it that how I can make sure that they are comfortable and relaxed because that’s when you can get the best out of them. 

(How easier does it make your job when you’ve got people firing in all three departments?) Absolutely, it’s very much required, especially as a captain, you see boys stepping up, taking that responsibility and winning the games for you. That’s what you need going forward as well. So we have created the momentum right now and it’s important that we are consistent with our approach and attitude. It’s going to be challenging going forward as well, but the amount of calmness that we possess and if we show the same amount of courage going forward, I think it’s going to be great for Indian cricket. (When you look at this group and going forward, what stands out and encourages you the most about what you’ve seen?) I think the standard that we set right from match one, if we keep levelling up or rather than worrying too much about the results, all we need to do is think about going a notch above every time you step out on the field. And that’s what we kept on giving the message to all the players, saying that, it doesn’t matter what situation we are facing, it’s important that we are playing to the best of our abilities and seeing to it that we take the team through. 

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Player of the Match and Series: 

(How good do you feel with your performance over the last three days?)It felt really good. Our preparation was very good during the two or three days after we arrived in Harare. I also played the Under-19 World Cup here, so I really enjoy playing at this venue. Everyone backed me – the captain, the coaches, everyone – so I’m very happy. (Tell us about your attitude coming into the series. You’re a fearless hitter of the ball. We know that!) My game is the same as what I play in T20 cricket. I was just trying to do that for the team. In all three matches, I tried to give the team a good start. If I got a good start, then I wanted to make the innings bigger. That was my only approach. (Yeah, you love Harare, you love the conditions here. What do you feel is your best attribute as a batter at the top of the innings?) The shots that I play are the same ones I practise. I just try to replicate in the match whatever I do in the practice sessions. (And is it a dream come true, man of the series in your first full series for India?) Yes, it’s truly a dream come true moment. Getting my first Man of the Match and Man of the Series awards, I’m very happy.

Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe captain: 

(What are the takeouts from the series looking forward?) A lot of them, to be honest with you. I think, firstly, well done to Zimbabwe Cricket for hosting these fixtures because if you do not play against the top nations in the world as a country, we can’t grow. And I think world cricket is much better when all the countries are playing good cricket. So the learnings from this series will certainly help us to bridge that gap between the top nations and the slightly lower-ranked nations because I feel like cricket is a lot more entertaining when everybody is playing really well. And for us, the biggest learning is the experience that we have had. Nyamhuri has been certainly a great addition to the side as well. Marumani taking on the number six and seven role. Madhevere has had some decent runs. So, there’s a lot of good things that I can think of. So, yeah, very happy.

(Talk to us about the team, talk to us about the ethos and what the change room has been like because the last couple of months have been fantastic and even going back to the World Cup earlier this year) The journey started long ago. We wanted to change a few things in the change room. We wanted to be there for each other’s success. We wanted to be there for each other’s failures. We wanted to put our heart on our sleeves. We wanted to die for every ball. We wanted to bowl every ball with intent and bat every ball with intent. Along the way, especially this new cycle, we want to change a few things because we feel like we have to match the intensity of world cricket. And along the way, we will have some bad games and I’m very okay with that. But one thing I do know, once the lessons, once the experience we have had match the standard of world cricket, once Zimbabwe come out, we will flourish. (Bit of time before you travel down to Namibia for a tri-series there. What do you look forward to in the next three or four weeks in terms of preparation for that tour?) Certainly try and buy a run for myself. That will be the first thing I look at (smiles). No, the team has held themselves really well without my contributions. But as a leader, I know where I falter and what I need to do. And I still need to be leading this team from the front with everything that I do. But very happy how the team has gone about their business without me scoring runs. Hopefully, when I start contributing, I’ll add a lot more to the team’s success. And I’m pretty sure those runs are around the corner.