Opting to bat after winning the toss, Zimbabwe were pushed on to the backfoot from the word go as Sran (4/10) along with Jasprit Bumrah (3/11) picked up wickets at regular intervals to run through the fragile batting line-up.
Sran finished with excellent figures in his quota of four overs, which is the second best globally. Before Sran, Pragyan Ojha (4/21) against Bangladesh in 2009 World T20, held the Indian record.
Owing to the pace duo's efforts at the Harare Sports Club, India staged a strong fightback after a shocking two-run loss in the opening T20 International of the three-match series at the same venue.
Bangladesh's Elias Sunny (5/13) holds the record for the best bowling figure by a debutant in T20 Internationals.
Playing the game in place of Richmond Mutumbani, Peter Moor (31) top-scored for the hapless hosts with the help of two boundaries and a six. As he tried to put up some kind of a fight, Moor's innings ended when he was caught by Axar Patel off the bowling of Bumrah.
Sran continued to torment the home side as he had Sikandar Raza caught at gully by KL Rahul. Tinotenda Mutombodzi's dismissal off the very next ball made it worse for Zimbabwe, who were reeling at 28 for four at that stage, leaving Sran on a hat-trick.
There was one wicket each for leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and Dhawal Kulkarni.
