India began the three-match T20I series with a convincing seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe, handing Shreyas Iyer his maiden victory as India’s captain after a run of six straight defeats against Ireland (two matches) and England (four matches).
With regular head coach Gautam Gambhir taking a short break, the BCCI appointed former India batter VVS Laxman as the interim coach for the Zimbabwe tour. Although his stint with the team is brief, Laxman has already introduced a new initiative to promote a positive and motivating environment within the dressing room.
After India’s win in the series opener, VVS Laxman introduced the ‘Best Attitude Award’ to honour the player who made the biggest impact through commitment, intent, and overall contribution on the field. Tilak Varma became the first recipient of the award following his impressive all-round display.
“Attitude is equivalent to skill. What we thought as a team management, in this series over the three matches, we are going to reward is not only the fielding, not only the individual brilliance in bowling and batting. But, the attitude aspect is also something we are going to reward,” Laxman said in a video posted byBCCI on X (formerly Twitter).
Fearless intent and treating every challenge as an opportunity 💪
Drop your guesses for the 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 🤔👇
🔽 Watch | #TeamIndia | #ZIMvIND | @ishankishan51 | @VVSLaxman281 https://t.co/esGl6L5ZL7
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 26, 2026
Harsha Explains Why Tilak Varma Won the First ‘Best Attitude Award’
To choose the winner, VVS Laxman asked Strength and Conditioning Coach Harsha and Performance Coach Joy for their opinions. Based on their assessment, Tilak Varma was selected as the first recipient of the medal.
“This one guy not only pushed himself off the field, but he also pushed himself on the field. Even when things were not to be done so intensely, he is there doing it really intense,” Harsha said.
“I always try to give the team my best. Whatever I do off the field helps me on it,” Tilak said after receiving the medal.
Speaking about the match, teenage sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi scripted history with a blistering 18-ball half-century as India comfortably chased down a target of 126 to secure a seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the first T20I at the Harare Sports Club on Thursday.
The victory also marked Shreyas Iyer’s first win as India’s T20I captain, achieved in his eighth match in charge. After restricting Zimbabwe to 125/7, the reigning T20 World Cup champions completed the chase with ease.
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