1st T20I
Zimbabwe has stunned India’s young talents in the series opener
Zimbabwe scored 115/9 in 20 overs, where as India scored 102 in 19.5 overs.
So, finally Zimbabwe beat India by 13 runs.
Exactly a week after India was crowned the T20 world champions, their second-choice unit suffered a shocking loss to Zimbabwe in a low-scoring thriller in Harare.
Zimbabwe, looking to prove a point after failing to qualify for the tournament in the West Indies and USA, staged a remarkable comeback with the ball after a poor performance with the bat.
The Difference Between the Two Sides
In a low-scoring game, the margin for error is minimal.
Ultimately, it came down to the start both sides had in the powerplay.
While Zimbabwe managed to hit eight boundaries and score 40 runs, India was stunned as their young guns departed one after the other, leaving them at 28/4 in the opening phase.
Zimbabwe’s Innings
Powerplay – India, Zimbabwe Trade Blows
Phase score: 40/2 [RR: 6.66, 4s/6s: 8/0]
India, having three debutants (Abhishek Sharma, Dhruv Jurel, and Riyan Parag), might have tested themselves by batting first, but Shubman Gill opted to bowl.
Mukesh Kumar struck early, but Brian Bennett countered with quick boundaries, taking Zimbabwe to 40 in five overs.
Ravi Bishnoi closed out the powerplay with a wicket maiden, removing Bennett.
Middle Overs – Zimbabwe Lose Their Way
Phase score: 50/5 [RR: 5.55, 4s/6s: 2/1]
After a decent powerplay, Zimbabwe struggled in the middle phase as India struck regularly.
Bishnoi’s googly claimed another wicket, and Avesh Khan redeemed himself by dismissing skipper Sikandar Raza.
Washington Sundar’s miserly spell resulted in two wickets, leaving Zimbabwe at 90/7 heading into the death overs.
Death Overs – Zimbabwe Drag Themselves to 115
Phase score: 25/2 [RR: 5.0, 4s/6s: 4/0]
Despite being 90/9, Zimbabwe’s last-wicket pair, Clive Madande and Tendai Chatara, batted out the remaining overs.
Madande hit three fours in the final over, dragging Zimbabwe close to 120.
India’s Innings
Powerplay – Zimbabwe’s Stunning Start
Phase score: 28/4 [RR: 4.66, 4s/6s: 4/0]
India’s chase, expected to be easy, quickly turned into a nightmare.
Debutant Abhishek Sharma fell for a duck, Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad hit some elegant shots, but Gaikwad’s edge led to his dismissal.
Chatara then dismissed Parag and Rinku Singh, leaving India reeling at 22/4.
Gill narrowly avoided another wicket through a successful review.
Middle Overs – India Continue to Stutter
Phase score: 47/3 [RR: 5.22, 4s/6s: 6/0]
Shubman Gill became India’s hope after a disastrous start, while Dhruv Jurel began cautiously.
Jurel hit a boundary but was soon dismissed by Luke Jongwe.
Raza removed Gill in the next over, and Bishnoi’s brief flurry of boundaries was halted by Raza.
With 41 needed from the last five overs, India’s faint hopes rested on Washington Sundar.
Death Overs – Washington Falls at the Final Hurdle
Phase score: 27/3 [RR: 5.58, 4s/6s: 3/1]
Avesh Khan’s lower-order boundaries posed a threat but were cut short.
Raza then dismissed Mukesh Kumar.
Washington Sundar hit a six and a four, keeping India’s hopes alive, but Muzarabani and Chatara held their nerve.
With 14 needed off 3, Chatara secured Zimbabwe’s memorable win off the penultimate delivery.
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