India Dominates Zimbabwe as Abhishek Sharma’s Blasting Century Seals the Deal in 2nd T20i .

ZIMBABWE VS INDIA , 2ND T2OI , HARARE , ZIMBABWE

Abhishek Sharma delivered a remarkable performance, scoring a historic century in India’s commanding 100-run victory against Zimbabwe during the second T20I in Harare on Sunday. Abhishek achieved 100 runs from just 47 balls, helping India to a formidable total of 234 for 2 after they chose to bat first. In only his second T20I appearance, the left-hander notched his first international century in 46 balls, setting a record for the fastest T20I century by an Indian in terms of innings, with just two. Ruturaj Gaikwad remained unbeaten at 77, while Rinku Singh also made a significant impact with a brisk 48 not out, as Zimbabwe’s bowlers struggled throughout the day. In the subsequent innings, Avesh Khan (3 for 15) and Ravi Bishnoi (2 for 11) dominated, dismissing Zimbabwe for 134.

Toss-

India won the toss and elected to bat.

Teams Line Up-

India:

Shubman Gill (c), Abhishek Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Dhruv Jurel (w), Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar

Zimbabwe:

Wessly Madhevere, Innocent Kaia, Brian Bennett, Sikandar Raza (c), Dion Myers, Johnathan Campbell, Clive Madande (w), Wellington Masakadza, Luke Jongwe, Blessing Muzarabani, Tendai Chatara

INDIA

Power Play: Early setback as Gill departs

Phase score: 36/1 (3x4s, 1×6)

The innings began dramatically with Abhishek Sharma hitting a six to open his account, signaling an aggressive start. However, Shubman Gill’s early dismissal, courtesy of a wicket-maiden by Blessing Muzarabani—which also included a dropped catch of Ruturaj Gaikwad—temporarily slowed the momentum. Despite this early loss, India gradually regained stability.

Middle overs: Ruturaj and Abhishek escalate the pace

Phase score: 116/1 (9x4s, 7x6s)

The partnership between Ruturaj and Abhishek flourished, culminating in a 137-run stand, the highest for India against Zimbabwe. Their collaboration was marked by both skill and a bit of fortune. Abhishek, initially dropped on 28* by Wellington Masakadza at long-off, swiftly moved past the incident. He reached his half-century in 33 balls, aggressively targeting Sikandar Raza and Dion Meyers, with Meyers conceding 28 runs in a single over. Abhishek reached his century with a trio of sixes off Masakadza, but was caught at backward point on the following delivery. Throughout this phase, he hit all 7 sixes, with Ruturaj playing a supportive role at the other end.

Death Overs: Stellar Performances by Rinku and Gaikwad

Phase Score: 82/0 (7x4s, 6x6s)

During this critical stage, India surged ahead of Zimbabwe, thanks to a powerful partnership between Rinku Singh, who remained not out at 48 from 22 balls, and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Together, they dominated the final five overs, significantly boosting the score. Gaikwad reached his half-century in 38 balls, accelerating to score the next 25 runs from just 9 deliveries, primarily in Tendai Chatara’s last over. Rinku struck three sixes off Muzarabani, Zimbabwe’s top performer with the ball, and concluded the innings with consecutive sixes off Luke Jongwe, who ended up conceding 53 runs in his four overs.

ZIMBABWE-

Power Play: Pacers Take Early Wickets

Phase Score: 58/4 (4x4s, 3x6s)

Zimbabwe’s aggressive approach in the PowerPlay yielded more runs than India, but at the cost of four wickets. Innocent Kaia was dismissed by an inward delivery from Mukesh Kumar. The decision to give the new ball to the part-time spinner Abhishek backfired as he gave away 19 runs. Mukesh returned to claim Brian Bennett in the following over after Bennett had hit him for consecutive sixes. However, it was Avesh Khan’s over that captured two wickets, including Myers caught at cover and captain Raza dismissed with a bouncer, which tilted the Power Play in India’s favor.

Middle Overs: Dominance by Spinners

Phase Score: 47/3 (3x4s, 1x6s)

Following the pacers’ initial impact, spinners took control in the middle overs. Ravi Bishnoi, after conceding just three runs in his first two overs, claimed the wicket of Clive Madande (lbw) in his third. Washington Sundar, though slightly more expensive, was equally effective, dismissing Johnathan Campbell who misjudged a slog sweep. Together, Bishnoi and Sundar bowled six consecutive overs post-PowerPlay, conceding only 25 runs and taking two wickets, which essentially set the tone for the remainder of the match.

Death Overs: Inevitable Conclusion

Phase Score: 29/3 (2x4s)

As Zimbabwe struggled with early losses and failed to build momentum in the middle overs, their defeat became increasingly apparent. Wessly Madhevere was the last to resist, staying until the 17th over before being bowled by Bishnoi. Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar wrapped up the innings, taking the final wickets of Muzarabani and Jongwe respectively.

Brief Scores:

India 234/2 (Abhishek 100, Gaikwad 77*, Rinku 48*) defeated Zimbabwe 134 all out in 18.4 overs (Madhevere 43; Avesh 3-15, Mukesh 3-37) by 100 runs.