2nd T20I
Abhishek Sharma has played a brilliant knock of 100 Runs for India against Zimbabwe in Harare
India scored 234/2 in 20 overs, where as Zimbabwe scored 134 all out in 18.4 overs.
So, finally India beat Zimbabwe by 100 runs.
India bounced back from a defeat in the opening game with a dominant 100-run victory over hosts Zimbabwe in the second T20I in Harare.
Abhishek Sharma’s 46-ball hundred, the joint third-fastest by an Indian in T20Is, powered Shubman Gill’s side to a formidable 234/2 after opting to bat, the highest total against Zimbabwe on what Ruturaj Gaikwad described as a “tough” and “two-paced” surface.
It indeed played like that in the second innings, as India’s pacers and spinners combined to bowl out Sikandar Raza’s side for just 134, inflicting their joint-biggest defeat by runs in the format.
What was the difference?
Abhishek Sharma’s innings.
His whirlwind knock, featuring 7 fours and 8 sixes, defied the nature of the pitch and helped India recover from a mediocre Power Play, setting the stage for players like Rinku Singh to capitalize.
A staggering 160 runs were scored in the final 10 overs, the most by a Full Member team in T20Is.
India
Power Play: Gill falls early
Phase score: 36/1 (3x4s, 1×6)
Abhishek Sharma opened with a six, hinting at things to come, but Shubman Gill’s early wicket meant the fireworks had to wait.
Blessing Muzarabani’s wicket-maiden, which saw Gill dismissed and Ruturaj Gaikwad’s return chance dropped, was the highlight of the first six overs as India steadily recovered from losing their captain early on.
Middle overs: Ruturaj and Abhishek’s fireworks
Phase score: 116/1 (9x4s, 7x6s)
The duo put on a 137-run stand, the highest partnership by India against Zimbabwe, showcasing skill and power-hitting.
Abhishek, dropped on 28* off 24 by Wellington Masakadza, got to his fifty off 33 balls, dismantling Sikandar Raza and Dion Meyers in the process, with Meyers conceding 28 runs in a single over.
Abhishek reached his maiden T20I hundred with a hat-trick of sixes against Masakadza, falling next ball but not before causing significant damage.
All 7 sixes in this phase were hit by Abhishek, with Ruturaj providing steady support at the other end.
Death overs: Rinku and Gaikwad finish strong
Phase score: 82/0 (7x4s, 6x6s)
In the final phase, India pulled far ahead.
Rinku Singh (48* off 22) and Ruturaj Gaikwad added quick runs in the last five overs.
Gaikwad, reaching his fifty off 38 balls, scored his next 25 runs off just 9 balls, mainly targeting Tendai Chatara’s final over.
Rinku hit 3 sixes against Muzarabani and finished the innings with back-to-back sixes against Luke Jongwe, who conceded 53 runs in his four overs.
Zimbabwe
Power Play: Pacers strike
Phase score: 58/4 (4x4s, 3x6s)
Zimbabwe started aggressively but lost four wickets in the Power Play.
Innocent Kaia fell to Mukesh Kumar, while Abhishek Sharma’s over conceded 19 runs.
Mukesh then bowled Brian Bennett, followed by Avesh Khan’s double-wicket over, dismissing Dion Meyers and captain Sikandar Raza, turning the Power Play decisively in India’s favor.
Middle overs: Spinners take control
Phase score: 47/3 (3x4s, 1x6s)
Spinners dominated the middle overs.
Ravi Bishnoi, economical in his first two overs, dismissed Clive Madande, while Washington Sundar took Johnathan Campbell’s wicket.
The two bowled six overs on the trot after the Power Play, conceding 25 runs and taking two wickets, sealing the match’s fate.
Death overs: Wrapping up the game
Phase score: 29/3 (2x4s)
Zimbabwe, losing too many wickets at the top and unable to get going in the middle overs, faced an inevitable end.
Opener Wessly Madhevere stayed till the 17th over but was bowled by Bishnoi.
Avesh Khan then dismissed Muzarabani, and Mukesh Kumar got Jongwe, concluding the innings and ensuring a comprehensive victory for India.
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