India’s T20I skipper Shreyas Iyer showered praise on his players after a 3-0 clean sweep against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club, Harare, on Sunday. The Men in Blue registered a 35-run win against the hosts to help Shreyas Iyer win his maiden T20I series as a skipper.

Iyer had got off to a dreadful start as a leader after India suffered six losses on the bounce on the UK tour. Team India was stunned 0-2 by Ireland and then suffered a 0-4 series loss against England.

However, Iyer’s men were at their absolute best against Zimbabwe, and the skipper praised the players for their collective effort.

Shreyas Iyer said in the post-match presentation, “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.”

Iyer admitted that his teammates make his job easier if they deliver as a whole in all three departments of the game.

Iyer added, “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.”

India will next take on Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series.