Gill, Gaikwad, and Sunder Shine as India Takes Commanding Lead Against Zimbabwe by 2-1 .

ZIMBABWE VS INDIA, 3RD T20I. 2024 HIGH LIGHTS

India’s solid team performance led them to gain a 2-1 advantage in the ongoing five-match T20 series against Zimbabwe, making a strong comeback after a defeat in the first game. Key contributions with the bat from Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Yashasvi Jaiswal propelled India to a score of 182 on a challenging two-paced pitch. In the pursuit of 183 runs in the third T20I at Harare, Zimbabwe managed only 159/6 in their 20 overs, succumbing to India by a margin of 23 runs. Washington Sundar’s effective bowling was instrumental in securing the victory for India.

TOSS-

India won the toss and elected to bat.

Teams Line-Up-

India:

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill(c), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson(w), Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed

Zimbabwe:

Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wessly Madhevere, Brian Bennett, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza(c), Johnathan Campbell, Clive Madande(w), Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Tendai Chatara

INDIA

Power Play: India off to a strong start

Phase score:  55/0 (8x4s, 3x6s)

The innings commenced with Zimbabwe opting to bowl an offspinner against Yashasvi Jaiswal, immediately backfiring as 15 runs came from the first over. In partnership at the top, Shubman Gill then attacked Richard Ngarava, gathering another 14 runs in the subsequent over. Despite the strong start, the introduction of Tendai Chatara saw Jaiswal hitting him for a four and a six, taking India to 41/0 after three overs. Blessing Muzarabani managed to slow the pace slightly, with India adding only 14 runs in the remaining three overs of the PowerPlay. Fielding errors from Zimbabwe allowed India some leeway to add extra runs.

Middle overs: Zimbabwe stages a fightback

Phase score: 72/2 (7x4s, 2x6s)

The game shifted when Zimbabwe’s captain, Raza, took to the field, quickly disrupting the 67-run opening partnership. Jaiswal, having been dropped just three balls prior, misjudged a reverse sweep, resulting in a catch at backward point. Abhishek Sharma, appearing slightly unsure in his new middle overs role, was caught on the expansive legside boundary from another of Raza’s deliveries. Ruturaj Gaikwad was next to bat, but the team struggled to maintain their earlier rate, managing just 48 runs from overs four to twelve. However, the game tilted again as Wessley Madhevere conceded 19 runs in the 13th over, with both Gaikwad and Gill hitting maximums.

Death Overs: India Surpasses 180 Despite Hosts’ Errors

Phase Score: 55/2 (4x4s, 3x6s)

Initially, Zimbabwe maintained strict control with Ngarava giving away just three runs in the 16th over. However, India ramped up their efforts in Raza’s final over, scoring 18 runs. Gill, having just reached fifty runs from 36 balls, was caught at mid-off by Raza, providing some relief to the fielding side. Though Gaikwad fell short of his half-century by a single run, his 29-ball 49 helped India to a competitive 182/4, which Yashasvi deemed a “good score” on the challenging pitch.

ZIMBABWE

Power Play: Indian Bowlers Start Strong

Phase Score: 37/3 (7x4s, 0x6s)

Zimbabwe experienced a blend of aggression and challenges early on. Khaleel Ahmed allowed some boundaries from Tadiwanashe Marumani initially, but Avesh Khan quickly countered, dismissing Wessly Madhevere. The quick dismissals of Marumani and Brian Bennett added significant pressure. Marumani was out trying to clear mid-on while Bennett was spectacularly caught by Bishnoi at backward point. Sikandar Raza stabilized the innings briefly with consecutive boundaries off Avesh, achieving a milestone of 5000 T20 runs, though the early losses were damaging.

Middle Overs: India’s Bowling Depth Tested

Phase Score: 73/3 (7x4s, 2x6s)

India started positively post-PowerPlay with Washington Sundar removing key batsmen Raza and Johnathan Campbell. At 49/5, Zimbabwe seemed in disarray, but a solid 77-run partnership between Dion Myers (65\* off 49) and Clive Madande (37 off 26) revived their innings. They aggressively targeted Abhishek Sharma and Shivam Dube, who conceded 50 runs in their combined 4 overs. The pair’s aggressive batting, highlighted by consecutive sixes from Madande off Dube in the 15th over, reignited the host’s hopes though they still needed 73 from the final five overs.

Death Overs: Strong Finish by India’s Primary Bowlers

Phase Score: 49/1 (3x4s, 2x6s)

India regained control as their primary bowlers took the helm. Khaleel allowed just two runs in the 16th over, and Sundar followed up with a crucial dismissal of Madande in the 17th over. Although Bishnoi and Avesh surrendered 34 runs across the 18th and 19th overs respectively, their earlier tight bowling effectively sealed the victory for India.

Brief Scores:

India 182/4 (Gill 66, Gaikwad 49; Raza 2-24, Muzarabani 2-25) defeated Zimbabwe 159/6 (Myers 65*; Sundar 3-15, Avesh 2-39) by 23 runs.