"Look forward to many more": Shashi Tharoor pens special message for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after maiden fifty in IND vs ZIM 1st T20I

Veteran Congress leader and Kerala MP Shashi Tharoor praised young Indian batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after his record-breaking half-century against Zimbabwe in the first T20I at Harare on Thursday. The 15-year-old created history by becoming the youngest player ever to score a T20I fifty.

After failing to make an impact in his first three international innings against England, Vaibhav bounced back in style in the IND vs ZIM 1st T20I. Batting with confidence, he reached his maiden international fifty in just 18 balls. He smashed boundaries all around the ground before being dismissed for a brilliant 50.

At the age of just 15 years and 118 days, the Bihar-born batter became the youngest-ever half-centurion in the history of T20I cricket. Impressed by his remarkable knock, Shashi Tharoor shared a special message on social media, writing, "Look forward to many more."

See his post below:

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi slams maiden T20I fifty as India beat Zimbabwe in series opener

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continued his dream start to international cricket by scoring his maiden T20I fifty as India defeated Zimbabwe in the first T20I. After failing to make an impact in his first two innings for the senior team, the 15-year-old bounced back in style with a brilliant knock.

The left-handed batter reached his half-century in just 18 balls, becoming the youngest player ever to score a fifty in T20I cricket. The Bihar-born youngster played fearless cricket, smashing boundaries all around the ground and finishing with 50 before being dismissed.

See also -Watch: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashes two huge sixes in Richard Ngarava's 20-run over during ZIM vs IND 1st T20I

Vaibhav's explosive innings also helped India chase down the target of 126 with ease. The visitors reached the target with 40 balls to spare and seven wickets in hand, taking a 1-0 lead in the series.

"Look forward to many more": Here's what Shashi Tharoor wrote in his full message

Reacting to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's match-winning knock, Congress leader and Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor praised the young batter on social media. He described the 15-year-old as a "phenomenon" and expressed confidence that many more memorable innings would follow.

Sharing a post on his official X account, Tharoor congratulated Vaibhav on his maiden T20I half-century, which came off just 18 balls against Zimbabwe. He also wished the youngster continued success in his international career.

See also - "One humiliation too many" — Shashi Tharoor's blunt attack on Gautam Gambhir after India's T20I Series humiliation vs England

Shashi Tharoor wrote, "Vaibhav!! First half century for India — 18 balls! What a phenomenon! Ok, that's it for today, but I look forward to many more, and many bigger knocks!! @Vaibhavsooryava."

15-year-old becomes youngest player ever to score a fifty in International cricket

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi created history by becoming the youngest player ever to score a fifty in T20I cricket. The Indian opener achieved the feat during the first T20I against Zimbabwe in Harare at the age of just 15 years and 118 days.

Playing only his fourth international match for India, Sooryavanshi reached his maiden T20I half-century in just 18 balls. His explosive knock included four fours and four sixes before he was dismissed immediately after reaching the milestone.

The previous record was held by Gibraltar's Louis Bruce, who was 16 years and 56 days old when he scored 60 against Malta in August 2021. Sooryavanshi broke the record by more than 300 days, making him the youngest-ever T20I half-centurion.