Team India T20I captain Shreyas Iyer thanked stand-in head coach VVS Laxman after the team's 3-0 T20I series sweep over Zimbabwe. Iyer stated that the former India batter played a major role in keeping the young squad confident with his guidance and motivational approach throughout the tour.
The Men in Blue completed the clean sweep with a 35-run victory over Zimbabwe in the third and final T20I at the Harare Sports Club in Harare on Sunday, July 26. The visitors defended a total of 192/5 by restricting the hosts to 157/7. Shreyas recorded his first bilateral T20I series triumph as India's captain.
Thank You to VVS Laxman Sir - Shreyas Iyer Expresses Gratitude
In a dressing room video shared by the BCCI after the series, Shreyas Iyer thanked VVS Laxman for his guidance throughout the Zimbabwe tour. The India captain said Laxman's words inspired the players every day and helped the team during the three-match series.
“And thank you to VVS Laxman sir, as well, for motivating us and inspiring each and every day when we stepped onto the field. I think everything that you mentioned was apt, and we could relate to it. So thank you so much, and thank you to each and every individual,” Iyer said.
Shreyas bounced back after a difficult start to his T20I captaincy in Ireland and England.India played the series without several regular players, including Sanju Samson, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana.
A Lot of Credit Should Be Given to the Captain - VVS Laxman Praises Shreyas Iyer
VVS Laxman said that Shreyas Iyer remained confident from the moment he joined the squad and played a major role in bringing together a relatively inexperienced group.
“We set out to win the series. That was what we aspired to do. I would like to congratulate Shreyas because he had a rough start to his captaincy career, but the way he came back, and right from the first day, when he joined us one day before the first game, he was very optimistic. He was, in fact, looking forward to playing with all of you, with a new group of players."
"We know that only four or five players from the England tour joined us on this tour. But he was so confident. I think a lot of credit for this victory should be given to the captain and the way he encouraged each one of you."
"We had one thing which we wanted to achieve. We wanted to exhibit a winner's mindset. If you remember our first meeting before the opening match, we asked whether we could display that mindset. Through all three matches, each one of you showed it, so congratulations,” Laxman said.
Series Victories Are a Reflection of the Standards a Team… - VVS Laxman
After the celebrations, VVS Laxman shared a message on social media. He also thanked the support staff and urged the players to continue raising their standards in the months ahead.
“Series victories are a reflection of the standards a team sets every single day. Proud of the commitment, resilience and selflessness shown by this group throughout the tour. Congrats to the players and thank you to the support staff for their unwavering dedication. I am confident this team will move forward with a hunger to keep improving and a determination to uphold the highest standards. God bless,” he wrote.
Laxman served as stand-in head coach during the Zimbabwe tour while Gautam Gambhir took a short break after the United Kingdom tour. Gambhir is expected to return for India's Test series against Sri Lanka. Laxman will also serve as the head coach for the 2026 Asian Games.
