Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi produced a stunning batting display, smashing his maiden international half-century as India cruised to a seven-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the opening Twenty20 match on Thursday.

Chasing a modest target of 126, Sooryavanshi blasted 50 off just 18 deliveries before falling for 68, having top-edged an attempted cut shot off Richard Ngarava. His explosive innings all but sealed the contest for India, which reached 126-3 with captain Shreyas Iyer remaining unbeaten to register his first victory as skipper in eight T20 internationals.

Earlier, Zimbabwe managed 125-7 after being put under pressure by India's bowlers, with Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav claiming two wickets each.

Sooryavanshi, who earlier this month became India's youngest-ever international cricketer, had a quiet start to his international career during the T20 series in England, scoring 14, 13 and 15 before being dropped for the final match, which India also lost as England completed a 4-0 series sweep.

The selectors retained faith in the teenage opener for the Zimbabwe series, returning him to the same Harare venue where he had earlier announced himself by hammering 175 off 80 balls against England in the ICC Under-19 World Cup final in February.

The youngster wasted little time on Thursday, launching his first six after facing just four deliveries. He went on to clear the boundary three more times with towering hits over long-off, fine leg and long-on.

The three-match series will continue with the second T20 on Saturday.