ZIMBABWE VS INDIA, 5TH T20I. 2024, HARARE
India clinched a 4-1 series win over Zimbabwe in the five-match T20I series, dominating the final game with a 42-run lead at Harare on Sunday. Sanju Samson’s decisive 58 from 45 balls, coupled with his significant 65-run partnership with Riyan Parag, who added 22 runs, enabled India to set a challenging target of 167 for 6. The Indian bowlers, spearheaded by Mukesh Kumar who took 4 wickets for 22 runs, and all-rounder Shivam Dube, who secured 2 for 25, limited Zimbabwe to 125 all out in 18.3 overs, thereby ensuring a victory for the visiting team.
Toss:
Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to field first.
Teams Line-Up:
Zimbabwe:
Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brian Bennett, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza(c), Johnathan Campbell, Faraz Akram, Clive Madande(w), Brandon Mavuta, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani
India:
Shubman Gill(c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson(w), Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Tushar Deshpande, Mukesh Kumar
INDIA
Powerplay: Early setbacks for India
IND: 44/3 (RR: 8.67; 3x4s, 3x6s)
Yashasvi Jaiswal set the pace for India with two sixes from the first two deliveries, despite one being a no-ball. However, Zimbabwe responded promptly, with Sikandar Raza dismissing Jaiswal in the opening over, followed by the quick dismissals of Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma during the Powerplay, despite their promising starts.
Middle overs: Consolidation by Samson and Parag
IND: 69/1 (RR: 7.67; 0x4s, 5x6s)
Following the early loss of wickets, Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag recovered the innings for India with a more careful batting approach. The ball showed some movement, prompting the batsmen to temper their aggression. Although fours were elusive during this period, sixes came regularly. Brandon Mavuta felt the pressure as he conceded four sixes, with Sanju Samson hitting two in consecutive deliveries during the 12th over.
Death Overs: Dube Provides Critical Surge
IND: 54/2 (RR: 10.80; 2x4s, 3x6s)
Following Sanju Samson’s dismissal shortly after he reached his fifty, Shivam Dube stepped up to energize the innings, partnering with death-over expert Rinku Singh. Dube successfully launched a low full toss from Ngarava over long on, while Rinku sent a delivery from Faraz Akram directly over the boundary for six.
ZIMBABWE
Powerplay: Zimbabwe Off to a Brisk Start
ZIM: 47/2 (RR: 7.83; 9x4s, 0x6s)
Despite a quick setback, losing Wessley Madhevere in the first over without scoring, Zimbabwe maintained an aggressive batting stance. Brian Bennett managed a handful of sharp boundaries off Tushar Deshpande before falling to Mukesh Kumar. The pair of Tadiwanashe Marumani and Dion Myers took on Ravi Bishnoi, gathering 16 runs in the final over of the Powerplay.
Middle Overs: India Regains Control through Timely Wickets
ZIM: 47/4 (RR: 5.22; 3x4s, 0x6s)
India shifted the dynamic during the middle overs with continuous wicket-taking. Spin bowlers Bishnoi, Abhishek and Washington Sundar, together with Dube’s medium pace deliveries, created a challenging environment for the Zimbabwe batsmen. The dismissal of well-set batters Marumani and Myers, followed by a direct hit from Dube to dismiss Raza from short fine, and Jonathan Campbell’s catch at deep square leg in successive overs, severely hindered Zimbabwe’s progression.
Death Overs: Faraz’s Counterattack Insufficient for Zimbabwe
ZIM: 31/4 in 3.3 overs (RR: 8.86; 1x4s, 2x6s)
Faraz Akram launched a late assault against the Indian bowlers, but the steep climb to the target put it out of Zimbabwe’s reach. Mukesh Kumar compounded the pressure by claiming two additional wickets in the death overs, wrapping up Zimbabwe’s innings with nine deliveries remaining.
Brief Scores:
India: 167/6 in 20 overs (Sanju Samson 58, Shivam Dube 26; Blessing Muzarabani 2-19) defeated Zimbabwe 125 in 18.3 overs (Dion Myers 34, Faraz Akram 27; Mukesh Kumar 4-27, Shivam Dube 2-25) by 42 runs.